The Return

‘The Return (Last Train to Freo)’ by WA writer, Reg Cribb, is Melville Theatre Company’s latest production. It is being performed nightly in the theatre at the corner of Canning Highway and Stock Road in Melville. Shows at 8.00 pm until Saturday 27^th February.

          As the threatening music of Tyler Bates ‘Fever Dream’ fades out, the last train of the night leaves Midland, in the eastern suburbs of Perth on its 90-minute journey to Fremantle in the West. Two yobs have boarded the carriage. One, Trev (Jesse Way) is a fun loving, though slightly naive, guy in his late teens, the other is his old mate, mentally mixed-up Steve (Adam Shuttleworth) recently released from prison.

         The journey looks like the usual boring late night trip. Then, after a couple of stations (realistic announcements by Jodie Hansen), a beautiful uni student, Lisa (Annabel Maclean) boards the train – things look up for the boys. Perhaps the journey will be fun.

         For several stations the boys taunt her, and although frightened dare she leave the train with all of the security guards being on strike? Without a taxi fare she would be fair game.

         At Perth two other passengers enter the train. Maureen (Penny Searle), who is running away from her miserable life, and a studious young man (Tom Walding) who simply sits writing or studying.

         Will all of the passengers reach Freo alive? Who is the really nasty and most threatening passenger?

Having seen this play (and the film) numerous times I went to the theatre with many doubts. Had the cuddly, loveable Adam been totally miscast? Was it wise to produce another production of this play, when quite recently the last production won prizes thus setting a very high standard to equal, let alone beat. How would the audience of Melville Theatre, where even I feel young, accept this foulmouthed powerful drama? They must be mad.

I need have had no fears, it was a wonderful production. Director Jeff Hansen realised that Adam was tall but small built, and so he concentrated upon the cold, psychological threat rather than the previous versions of muscle men using their bulk to create fear. In doing so I think the overall result was possibly more successful.

The two thugs worked wonderfully as a team, never faltering in dialogue or smoothness of action. The performances were slick, with plenty of humour thrown in. When the major threat came at the end, the powerful and sensitive acting by everyone truly conveyed the horror of the situation.

The medium sized audience were most enthusiastic.

Sensitive control of lights (Ian Black) and sound (Damien Mortley). The well-built set (Jeff Hansen and Barbara Lovell) withstood the abuse that the layabouts dished out by swinging on the hanging straps – it is always difficult to make a strong vertical support on a stage. The doors worked immaculately!

Even if you have seen previous productions, Jeff has a new interpretation and elucidation style, which held the audience in silence. If you are an old fuddy-duddy who doesn’t like violence, fear not, you will still cope. Excellent work.