The Life of Galileo

On Saturday night I experienced an epic piece of theatre as performed by the WA Youth Theatre Co. And yes, 'experience' is the right word. From the moment you walk into the space, you know you're in for a more than ordinary night's theatre. The cast is already on stage, warming up their voices and bodies, and greeting the audience members as they take their seats. It's a fascinating feeling, being allowed to see the actors before the show. Generally speaking, it's a faux pas of theatre, and yet it didn't reduce my experience of the production. If anything it heightened my expectation of what was to come, and my expectations were not to be disappointed. The actors slowly build themselves up to a frenzied crescendo of energy and power and from that moment- it's on! The energy is frenetic as the cast ram their way through Brecht's powerful take on the struggle of Truth versus Faith. This play will confront you, anger you, and yes- shock you. The director, Garreth Bradshaw, has taken a cast of people in their late teens to early twenties, and produced a very grown-up piece of theatre. But it is in no way dull or lifeless. The characterisations are full of energy and vigour, and will genuinely make you laugh out loud. At least twice the performers had to pause in their work whilst the audience applauded certain actors who had gone above and beyond. I don't wish to single out any one performer, as they all had special moments of their own, but do keep an eye out for the Curator of the University, and the Old Cardinal who declares Galileo Galilei an enemy of the faith. The set itself is simple, eye catching and effective. Set in the round, it is a rectangular stage covered in sigils and stars, with a series of illuminated spheres suspended above the stage. Keep an eye on the globes as the play goes on, as they represent the clashing of Galileo's theories against the blind tenacity of the Faithful. Sound design is also effective, with subliminal noise at key moments, and retro sci-fi music giving passage between the scenes. A few gripes at this point, as some of the transitions could have been much tighter, and some long pauses on stage added to the length of the second half. I later learned that a few stumbles in text had caused the delays. Nothing to be terribly concerned about, one feels. All in all this is an excellent production. My suggestion? Get yourself along to this extraordinary piece of theatre, and be prepared laugh, gasp, and walk away thinking. 'The Life of Galileo' runs from the 6th to the 9th of May at 8pm at the Subi Arts Centre, with a matinee on the 8th at 1pm. freddie the rocking jedi badger