Jake's Women
Sun, 1 June 2008, 04:27 pmHeidi MacGodden23 posts in thread
Jake's Women
Sun, 1 June 2008, 04:27 pmI went along to see Jake's Women last night, playing at the Old Mill Theatre in Sout Perth. I had already seen the screen version with Alan Alda playing the main role and was interested to see how director Simon James would go with tackling such a complex play. Well I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Not only has James done an excellent job with this one but I particularly enjoyed his Australianisation of the play. The play itself could , without the right direction, or cast, could easily become to heavy as it follows the main character Jake as he struggles through a difficult transition period in his life, calling on imaginary women from both his past and present to help him at different personally challenging times. Certainly it treads a fine line at times however gladly I can report that at no dime did I find the content overy heavy or intense. In fact it was carried of beautifully with the cast timing their lines and gags perfectly to the delight of a near full house. Special mention must be made of the main characters played by David Cotgreave (Jake) and Vanessa Harding (Maggie his wife)they did an amazing job especially David who I found extremely convincing. Young Amelia McLaughlin-Jones (Young Molly) lit up the stage every time she appeared and for such a little one times her gags with the perfection that some actors twice her age still don't often manage. Additionall the scene involving Siobhan Donals (Sheila the girlfriend)was brilliant, she had the entire audience beside themselves with laughter.
All in all I'd have to give Simon James' adaptation of Jake's Women a resounding 10/10. If you haven't seen it yet make sure you get along before it finishes. Tickets are a very moderate price and the Old Mill Theatre is wi=orth expreiencing in itself. While you are sitting there make sure you take notice of the set, the detail is just amazing. Well done to all those involved.
Heidi MacGoddenSun, 1 June 2008, 04:27 pm
I went along to see Jake's Women last night, playing at the Old Mill Theatre in Sout Perth. I had already seen the screen version with Alan Alda playing the main role and was interested to see how director Simon James would go with tackling such a complex play. Well I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Not only has James done an excellent job with this one but I particularly enjoyed his Australianisation of the play. The play itself could , without the right direction, or cast, could easily become to heavy as it follows the main character Jake as he struggles through a difficult transition period in his life, calling on imaginary women from both his past and present to help him at different personally challenging times. Certainly it treads a fine line at times however gladly I can report that at no dime did I find the content overy heavy or intense. In fact it was carried of beautifully with the cast timing their lines and gags perfectly to the delight of a near full house. Special mention must be made of the main characters played by David Cotgreave (Jake) and Vanessa Harding (Maggie his wife)they did an amazing job especially David who I found extremely convincing. Young Amelia McLaughlin-Jones (Young Molly) lit up the stage every time she appeared and for such a little one times her gags with the perfection that some actors twice her age still don't often manage. Additionall the scene involving Siobhan Donals (Sheila the girlfriend)was brilliant, she had the entire audience beside themselves with laughter.
All in all I'd have to give Simon James' adaptation of Jake's Women a resounding 10/10. If you haven't seen it yet make sure you get along before it finishes. Tickets are a very moderate price and the Old Mill Theatre is wi=orth expreiencing in itself. While you are sitting there make sure you take notice of the set, the detail is just amazing. Well done to all those involved.
NormaSun, 1 June 2008, 06:06 pm
Jake,s women
Thank you Bruno for your review of Jake's Women. There are seats available for the following performances;
Thursday June 5 plenty
Friday June 6 about 6
Saturday June 7 25
Thursday June 12 still plenty
Friday & Saturday June 13 & 14 th SOLD OUT
This message posted at 6 pm Sunday June 1
Call my mobile 0402.249.249 for further information or the bookings number 9367.8719
Walter PlingeSun, 1 June 2008, 06:46 pm
I have to agree with Bruno,
I have to agree with Bruno, Jakes Women at the Old Mill Theatre is a great night out! I happened to be invited to the Friday night show which was a full house and it was fabulous. The annoying coughing from one person in the audience was a bit hard to bear but the person concerned soon left the theatre much to everyone’s relief.
This play is wonderfully written and the entire cast did an outstanding job in bringing it to life. Ann Speicher as Edith was marvellous. I thought she was perfect in this role and very believable as Jake's councillor. Siobhan Donald as Sheila was brilliant and the highlight of the night. The laughs just kept coming and coming. Poor Sheila!! David Cotgreave did an outstanding job as Jake. Being on stage for nearly the whole performance is a huge role to take on and David did it great credit. It appears that the Young Molly’s were very well cast. On Friday Ashleigh Zinko as Young Molly was delightful and like Amelia lit up the stage. Ashleigh kept the audience in stitches delivering her dialogue with the comic timing of one beyond her years. Brave Simon James adapting the script by using local references and without the use of American accents made it all the more enjoyable. As Bruno mentioned the set was outstanding!! The attention to detail was excellent. Well done to Simon James and cast on such a great effort. If you manage to get a hold of a ticket you’ll be glad you did! Thoroughly enjoyable!!
Heidi MacGoddenMon, 2 June 2008, 10:55 am
Totally agree
Yes I totally agree with you Adam. I've seen it already but I'm planning to go back to see it again. So fantastic to see local theatre of this standard in WA. Again, 10/10 to absolutely everyone involved in this show.
Walter PlingeThu, 12 June 2008, 03:38 pm
Does anyone know who played
Does anyone know who played Old Molly in this show?
Walter PlingeThu, 12 June 2008, 03:42 pm
What about the sensational
What about the sensational performance from Olivia Darby?
Gordon the OptomFri, 13 June 2008, 07:45 am
Jake's Women
‘Jake’s Women’ by Neil Simon, finishes at the Old Mill Theatre on Saturday 14th June.
This is a play about a writer, who creates his characters in his head and has them live out the script, but unfortunately, the real people in his life become confused with his creations. It is a very clever and original script, but it calls for Jake (David Cotgreave), the main character, to be confused and bewildered. For David to be on stage for the whole performance is demanding enough, but to act confused, one has to be very much in control of the script, otherwise the whole thing would look hammy. Under director Simon James guidance, Jake was perfect.
The whole cast found great depth in the personalities that they had to play, with the humour being delivered brilliantly.
In reply to the previous reviewer, the older Molly was played by Nicola Sarah Ward (hope your voice hangs on for the next couple of nights).
The lighting, sound effects, and music were all handled with sensitivity. Very high standard of teching. The set had doors through which the real characters passed, with the imaginary characters ethereally passing through the walls – a good touch. A good, solid convincingly ‘lived-in’ set.
The script may have been a little highfaluting for some of the audience, but as the others have said ‘an all-round, quality show’.
stingerMon, 16 June 2008, 10:18 am
‘an all-round, quality show’
It is such a pity that all of that talent, time and energy couldn't have been put into a locally written script - or at least something with a stronger take-home message than that self-indulgent, angst-ridden Neil Simon pap. Ssstinger>>>
NormaMon, 16 June 2008, 03:34 pm
All round quality Show
Do we take it that you didn't exactly like the show???
Apologies for the champagne by the way!
stingerTue, 17 June 2008, 10:13 am
like the show???
The 'champagne' was a little sickly sweet for my taste - a bit like Neil Simon.
It was meant to be a back-handed compliment. I loved the show - except for the script. If I hadn't, I would have called it 'schlock' instead of 'pap'
The Macquarie Dictionary describes 'schlock' as "low-grade material; rubbish" and 'pap' as "considered as having no intellectual or permanent value".
Well done all anyway.
Ssstinger>>>
Walter PlingeSat, 21 June 2008, 10:41 am
What about the sensational
What about the sensational self glorification of Oliva Darby?
Walter PlingeSat, 21 June 2008, 12:52 pm
I don't know what that's
I don't know what that's supposed to mean but I thought she was great in this show and I don't know why she's been left out of any of these reviews. In fact, I have seen her in several shows across Perth and she always delivers the goods on stage.
Walter PlingeSat, 21 June 2008, 08:45 pm
Maybe because people are
Maybe because people are allowed to have opinions and so far no one, besides you, of course, has thought that she is worth mentioning.
Walter PlingeTue, 24 June 2008, 10:09 am
If you're implying that
If you're implying that that was myself signing in and posting that, I'm afraid you're very much mistaken. I take umbrage to the allusion that I would come on here and attempt to glorify myself when I was amongst some of the most professional and talented actors I've ever worked with. Kindly refrain from being so presumptuous in future.
Walter PlingeTue, 24 June 2008, 10:13 am
That, and at least have the
That, and at least have the balls to put your name on your comment if you're going to insult me.
Walter PlingeTue, 24 June 2008, 12:24 pm
Don't listen to them
Don't listen to them Olivia, I thought you were great in the show.
LabrugTue, 24 June 2008, 12:41 pm
People I know
Olivia Darby would have to be on of the finest performers I have ever had the pleasure to work with, and not one given to an over inflated ego as suggested. I sense some jealousy here.
Olivia, although I know you are not one to do so, you have earned to right to self-glorify so revel in it. Don't be insulted by anonymous, petty postings. Your friends know you better.
Absit invidia
Jeff Watkins
Walter PlingeTue, 24 June 2008, 01:01 pm
She's also one very hot
She's also one very hot sexy bitch
Walter PlingeSun, 29 June 2008, 09:01 am
Thank you, Jeff!
Thank you, Jeff! *feels the love*
Walter PlingeSun, 29 June 2008, 12:31 pm
I think we'd all like to
I think we'd all like to feel your love, Olivia...
Walter PlingeWed, 2 July 2008, 12:29 pm
Olivia Darby
Olivia, you are quite right, you should have been included in the first review and you weren't...my apologies as I'm responsible for that...You were fantastic Olivia and well worthy of a mention. Amazing emotion and sincerity in your performances, you were very convincing and moving to watch, good on you. I should also take this opportunity to mention the rest of the cast as well(David, Vanessa, Gail, Nicola, Ann, Siobhan and of course Ashleigh and Amelia), All were brilliant, it was a really outstanding show. Thanks again to Simon for sharing his brilliance with this cast and for the excellent casting.
And finally for those of you who have a NEED to know, yes I am related to someone in the cast. Additionally though, for those of you who feel the need to reduce this review section to an opportunity for you to voice your petty grudges and make unkind digs at people and at times turn this forum into almost a witch hunt you should take shame to yourselves! All you do is highlight your own insecurities and nastiness, we don't need that here. Let's just review theatre and make this forum actually worthwhile and worth reading.
Walter PlingeSat, 5 July 2008, 12:38 pm
Look, while I really
Look, while I really appreciate you commenting on my performance; it is always nice to get feedback, good or bad, in all honesty, it wasn't me who posted that original comment about my performance, and while every role within the context of the play is important, I felt that there were more stand-out performances than my own.
I never meant to imply that I felt left out of the original review, but there were other, more memorable performances.
I am really grateful for all those people who rallied around me, but this whole fracas never should have happened. I hate to keep harping on about this, but I don't like the implication that I'm a self-obsessed, egotistic attention-seeker (unlike some others who feel it necessary to deride other people's comments and performances).