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A view of concrete

Thu, 23 Apr 2009, 08:07 am
Gordon the Optom6 posts in thread

A View of Concrete’ is a Flaming Locomotive production of Melbourne writer, Gareth Ellis’ Wal Cherry Award-winning play. It is running until 9th May at the Blue Room, Northbridge. All shows 8pm.

         Two junky girlfriends are talking about the changes to their area, and the loss of greenery with the encroaching of concrete. The topic then changes to their secret desires. Anorexic Billy (Anna Brockway) recalls a happy period in her youth, far from her now miserable life and hence her desire to try and return to the previous security. However, her friend Jacquie (Mel Munt) seems the more stable and logical thinker with a darker desire.
        Jacquie’s boyfriend, the paranoiac, xenophobe, James (Brendan Ewing at his very best) is around at his drug dealer’s home collecting a tablet or two. Dealer Neil (James Helm) who considers himself a doctor and pharmacist, spends most of his time reading books and wondering why every creature has a morbid desire to commit suicide.
        The relationships change as the self-destructive fantasies take over.

This amazing play, along the lines of ‘Trainspotting’ and ‘Red Road,’ takes us into the extremely seedy life of the back streets, and the sad junkies that struggle for survival. Powerfully directed by Allan Girod there are some gut-wrenching and disturbing scenes. When Jacquie shoots up for the first time, Mel Munt portrays a well-observed picture of the twitching and confusion of the victims mind. So powerful were the performances, that when dealer Neil had his final scene, I thought that I was going to have to carry a stressed friend out of the theatre.

This amazing play, along the lines of ‘ and ‘ takes us into the extremely seedy life of the back streets, and the sad junkies that struggle for survival. Powerfully directed by Allan Girod there are some gut-wrenching and disturbing scenes. When Jacquie shoots up for the first time, Mel Munt portrays a well-observed picture of the twitching and confusion of the victims mind. So powerful were the performances, that when dealer Neil had his final scene, I thought that I was going to have to carry a stressed friend out of the theatre.

Joe Lui’s sound design is a subtle, melange of noises, which adds to the mystery of the play. Kyle Brockmann’s lighting is innovative and precise. The costume and set design helped to top off the whole concept of the young, drugs and their pathetic lives in the concrete jungle.

$2 of every ticket goes to Lifeline WA as part of the producer’s Community Partnership initiative. For 14 years I spent the odd, miserable and freezing night sleeping on the streets of Perth to help this cause, thank you for your support.

A brilliant play superbly produced and performed. Will be remembered for years to come.

Thread (6 posts)

Gordon the OptomThu, 23 Apr 2009, 08:07 am

A View of Concrete’ is a Flaming Locomotive production of Melbourne writer, Gareth Ellis’ Wal Cherry Award-winning play. It is running until 9th May at the Blue Room, Northbridge. All shows 8pm.

         Two junky girlfriends are talking about the changes to their area, and the loss of greenery with the encroaching of concrete. The topic then changes to their secret desires. Anorexic Billy (Anna Brockway) recalls a happy period in her youth, far from her now miserable life and hence her desire to try and return to the previous security. However, her friend Jacquie (Mel Munt) seems the more stable and logical thinker with a darker desire.
        Jacquie’s boyfriend, the paranoiac, xenophobe, James (Brendan Ewing at his very best) is around at his drug dealer’s home collecting a tablet or two. Dealer Neil (James Helm) who considers himself a doctor and pharmacist, spends most of his time reading books and wondering why every creature has a morbid desire to commit suicide.
        The relationships change as the self-destructive fantasies take over.

This amazing play, along the lines of ‘Trainspotting’ and ‘Red Road,’ takes us into the extremely seedy life of the back streets, and the sad junkies that struggle for survival. Powerfully directed by Allan Girod there are some gut-wrenching and disturbing scenes. When Jacquie shoots up for the first time, Mel Munt portrays a well-observed picture of the twitching and confusion of the victims mind. So powerful were the performances, that when dealer Neil had his final scene, I thought that I was going to have to carry a stressed friend out of the theatre.

This amazing play, along the lines of ‘ and ‘ takes us into the extremely seedy life of the back streets, and the sad junkies that struggle for survival. Powerfully directed by Allan Girod there are some gut-wrenching and disturbing scenes. When Jacquie shoots up for the first time, Mel Munt portrays a well-observed picture of the twitching and confusion of the victims mind. So powerful were the performances, that when dealer Neil had his final scene, I thought that I was going to have to carry a stressed friend out of the theatre.

Joe Lui’s sound design is a subtle, melange of noises, which adds to the mystery of the play. Kyle Brockmann’s lighting is innovative and precise. The costume and set design helped to top off the whole concept of the young, drugs and their pathetic lives in the concrete jungle.

$2 of every ticket goes to Lifeline WA as part of the producer’s Community Partnership initiative. For 14 years I spent the odd, miserable and freezing night sleeping on the streets of Perth to help this cause, thank you for your support.

A brilliant play superbly produced and performed. Will be remembered for years to come.

Walter PlingeThu, 23 Apr 2009, 04:09 pm

This is the most curious of

This is the most curious of Gordon's reviews. The repeated paragraph is, presumably, an editing glitch. But do I read the penultimate paragraph correctly, that Gordon slept on the streets of Perth for 14 years? I always thought this Optometrist enjoyed life's tougher adventures vicariously through theatre. Now I discover that he's the real deal? A [new] VIEW OF GORDON.
Walter PlingeThu, 23 Apr 2009, 04:59 pm

Gordon on the Streets

Once a year celebrities and volunteers spend a night on the streets to raise funds for Lifeline. No dark side to Gordon,well, there probably is but thats not it.
Gordon the OptomThu, 23 Apr 2009, 06:39 pm

street sleeping

As 'no mystery' said, I have slept with several Premiers, a few nuns and a couple of Chief of Police - but the details will only be printed after my demise.
TaureanFri, 24 Apr 2009, 12:13 am

Man of Mystery.....

No names no pack drill, eh Gordon?

Certainly sounds like an intensely interesting work - and the very worthwhile cause makes it even more attractive to attend.

See you there!

Overheard at a psychiatrists office - " No ... you are not paranoid. That is an IRRATIONAL fear that people dislike you"

GippsiMon, 4 May 2009, 12:09 pm

My husband and I thought

My husband and I thought this play was fantastic! The cast were all very convincing and my lack of desire to use hallucinogenic drugs is even more heightened! I have to say that James Helm was outstanding as the quick witted drug dealer, creating a character that you hate to love. The writing was incredibly creative. The only downside to the evening.....a couple in front of us who whispered through the whole first half. We moved at interval so thankfully didn't get distracted by it in the second. The woman was so incessantly needy that she was all over the man & for the first time in my life I wanted to scream 'Get a room!' As a theatre goer this is not just annoying because it distracts us, it is incredibly disrespectful to the actors and everyone who has slaved to get it to this point. I don't understand why they go. Does anyone have any idea how one could approach such people without getting a broken nose? Is there anything management can do in such instances? Sorry to detract from a fantastic performance. The set, lighting and sound were also spot on. A lot of hard work and dedication certainly went in to this performance. Thank you!
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