The Saxon Shore

Wed, 2 Apr 2008, 08:02 am

‘The Saxon Shore’ by David Rudkin is the latest production by Curtin’s Hayman Theatre Upstairs at Curtin University. It is showing each evening at 8 pm. until 5^th April.

It is the year 410 AD next to Hadrian’s Wall, on the border between Scotland and England. A group of scruffy naked villagers, a step above cave dwellers, are starting to prepare for the winter. Their leader Cambyses (Nathan Hitchins) is respected and manages to keep this group of Celts, Scots and Welsh stock living in unity despite their different accents and languages.
Into their area arrives a Roman NCO (Alex Littlewood) who has been given the task of befriending the locals, to make the task of the invading Roman armies easier to take power. The roman has brought some Saxons – from Germany – to help blend in. Despite not speaking a word of Latin or German, Arthdark (Tristan Pearcy) signs up to fight with the Romans. His mother (Kate Hart) is distraught. Even the local Monk (Simeon Brudeneil) is in the employ of the invading forces. Arthdark finds that he doesn’t really fit in with the new army and that their primitive heartless ways are not his. He kills a caring local girl (Jess De Gouw) in a gruesome manner. He decides to return home, only to find that he has drifted from his fellowmen and is no longer accepted by them either.

This is a play written on a few levels. There is the surface story, into which is woven a dense text of suppression and cunning infiltration. It is thought that this was the first method used recently by the Chinese in Tibet. Befriend and then conquer.

This is a very challenging play for the cast. First with a fair amount of nudity, a tricky script which is written in many accents and languages. You really felt the pain and discomforts suffered by these primitive people through the bleak winter. Kat Shaw and Ailish Lydon were part of this hard working and most successful cast.

Beautiful lighting (Mischa Resnick), well thought-out costumes (Josh Walker) and a practical primitive set Fredric Amoroso). The Northumbrian pipes and excellent sound effects added to the atmosphere (Claire Lacy). The cast used the whole theatre which helped make the audience feel part of the suffering. Great directing by Duncan Sharp and Cassandra Vagliviello (Stirling Players). Congratulations, a difficult challenge which paid off.

Saxon Shore

Sat, 5 Apr 2008, 06:15 am

Maer5

What can I say beyond WELL DONE BY ALL! Beyond the usual flattery attributed to any play I can say this was a good nights viewing and the play was well worth all the effort put into it by all the players and technical staff. I personally enjoyed the fact that there was no bit players, all the actors were committed to the piece. A true ensemble play, from the lighting to the effects, music, set and costumes. A very professional production in all aspects from the greeting of foyer staff, to all the performances made by all actors and crew. You all should be congratulated. The play itself was obviously physically and vocally challenging from the role changes to the many costume changes. I really appreciated all the effort it must have taken to achieve this level of performance. As an audience member I felt honoured just to have been a part of it. My daughter who is I would say theatre challenged, enjoyed it. Well at very least she did not hate it which is a high compliment considering she dislikes theatre. She admits she did not understand it but she laughed and did not say it was a waste of her time. Which is her usual response. I would like to point out particular performances by actors but there was no weak links you all were standouts to me. I could see that everyone was fully committed the energy was high and I was impressed by you all. The language changed regularly and at times was difficult to understand but as the Welsh accent is among the hardest to perform on stage I still consider this a big achievement. Overall there is little if any way to fault this production, and I am very proud that the Hayman continues to produce this level of professional theatre. Again WELL DONE BY ALL!

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The Saxon Shore— Gordon the Optom2 Apr 2008

Saxon Shore— Maer55 Apr 2008

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