Memmie La Blanc

After its premiere season in Perth last year, the Deckchair and Vitalstatistix co-production of Memmie le Blanc made its way to Adelaide for the 2008 Fringe Festival in the historical surrounds of the Queens Theatre. Written by award winning playwright, Hilary Bell, it is based on the true story of a feral child living in the wilds and captured and forced to live within the civilized society of France in the 1730’s. Catherine Michel (Netta Yashcin) is a widow who wants to save the Memmie (Anni Lindner) from her past and give her a normal future. While she is desperate for security, her wilderness is a primal part of her that cannot be completely eradicated. The arrival of George Legendre (Adam McGurk), a scientist, writer and philosopher, and his orangutan Robert (Sete Tele) changes the relationship. George wants Memmie for his own research; however she struggles with the pull of her bestial and human natures. There is much to like about this production, Bell’s writing is well thought out building on the themes of humanity, freedom and love. Andrew Lake’s set evokes memories of childhood playground, a monkey enclosure at the zoo or a conservatory, all subtlety lit. Isaac Lummis’ costume design present luscious recreations of the period complete with monkey print that contrasted against the starkness of the set. Phil Bailey’s soundscape of a solo cello was well placed and mood enhancing. Anni Lindner and Netta Yashcin do give incredible performances as the two protagonists and Sete Tele and his physical assessment of the orangutan is brilliant but undisciplined and distracting. Adam McGurk seemed uncomfortable in his portrayal of George. For the most Angela Chaplin’s direction is well metered but unbalanced that languishes in what the piece should be: a serious dramatic work or a comedy? Moments are unfocussed or left unexplained: William Monk’s Eventide was thematically out of context, as was the cast miming to a recording of jungle jazz in an erratic moment of bewilderment. Was the interval really necessary? With some insightful dramaturgical work and a tightening of the script into a concise one act performance, Memmie La Blanc has the ability to be a great production that resonates. Memmie La Blanc Queens Theatre, Adelaide. Vitalstatistix and Deckchair Theatre For full article, read here --> http://tinyurl.com/2l7x7z