Grace
Sun, 14 Feb 2010, 10:55 amGordon the Optom1 post in thread
Grace
Sun, 14 Feb 2010, 10:55 am‘Grace’ was adapted for the stage from the 400-page novel by Robert Drewe. It is presented by Deckchair Theatre, Victoria Hall, Fremantle. The performances are at 8.00 pm until Sat 6th March. There are several matinees, Wed 24th Feb & Wed 3rd March, 11.00 am, Sat 27th Feb and Sat 6th March at 2 pm
John Molloy (George Shevtsov) is an enthusiastic anthropologist, so when his daughter is born he names her Grace, after one of his major finds. Grace (Kirsty Millhouse) becomes a well-known film critic, unfortunately for her a little too well-known, as she attracts a stalker (Russ Pirie).
Grace feels it is in her genes to go out into the far beyond and commune with nature. She goes to Port Mangrove, a place near Port Hedland internment camp. Here she works with Garth (Steve Turner) and his assistant (Leroy Parsons) in a crocodile farm and eco-tourist venue.
Grace takes a lonely and socially lost, new immigrant (Ismat Akbarzada) under her wing, where with the help of Sister Joseph (Polly Low) she cares for him.
Robert Drewe’s book is probably 200 pages of story, coupled with 200 more of fascinating information of life in North Western Australia. It covers child migration, boat people, ecology, conservation, history and geography among many threads woven into the story. This adaptation for the stage I felt had tried to carry too many of these storylines, making the play seem a little like a lecture. Extremely interesting and thought provoking, but still a lesson.
Not surprisingly the cast, who are extremely talented and have proved themselves on a regular basis, were outstanding in the play. I do feel that one or two of the characters, especially the stalker, was a caricature making him more annoying than threatening. Director, Chris Bendall, had plenty of movement and interest happening throughout, wonderful direction.
Andrew Bellchambers’ set was versatile and well thought out, and with Andrew Lake’s excellent lighting and Kirrilly Brentnall’s video design, probably the best I have seen, the overall visual effect was stunning. The videos had well-sourced appropriate film clips and posters, blended with quality bush photography.
Ash Gibson Grieg was at his best, with some wonderful original music, although did I hear the Beatles’ famous crescendo? The sound design (Kingsley Reeve) and quality was superb. Unfortunately the hall’s acoustics lost some sentences of the dialogue.
The place was packed, so booking is essential. It was 28 degrees outside last night and possibly twice that at the top of the audience seating. There was no air flow or air con.
A wonderful story, superbly produced.
‘Grace’ was adapted for the stage from the 400-page novel by Robert Drewe. It is presented by Deckchair Theatre, Victoria Hall, Fremantle. The performances are at 8.00 pm until Sat 6th March. There are several matinees, Wed 24th Feb & Wed 3rd March, 11.00 am, Sat 27th Feb and Sat 6th March at 2 pm
John Molloy (George Shevtsov) is an enthusiastic anthropologist, so when his daughter is born he names her Grace, after one of his major finds. Grace (Kirsty Millhouse) becomes a well-known film critic, unfortunately for her a little too well-known, as she attracts a stalker (Russ Pirie).
Grace feels it is in her genes to go out into the far beyond and commune with nature. She goes to Port Mangrove, a place near Port Hedland internment camp. Here she works with Garth (Steve Turner) and his assistant (Leroy Parsons) in a crocodile farm and eco-tourist venue.
Grace takes a lonely and socially lost, new immigrant (Ismat Akbarzada) under her wing, where with the help of Sister Joseph (Polly Low) she cares for him.
Robert Drewe’s book is probably 200 pages of story, coupled with 200 more of fascinating information of life in North Western Australia. It covers child migration, boat people, ecology, conservation, history and geography among many threads woven into the story. This adaptation for the stage I felt had tried to carry too many of these storylines, making the play seem a little like a lecture. Extremely interesting and thought provoking, but still a lesson.
Not surprisingly the cast, who are extremely talented and have proved themselves on a regular basis, were outstanding in the play. I do feel that one or two of the characters, especially the stalker, was a caricature making him more annoying than threatening. Director, Chris Bendall, had plenty of movement and interest happening throughout, wonderful direction.
Andrew Bellchambers’ set was versatile and well thought out, and with Andrew Lake’s excellent lighting and Kirrilly Brentnall’s video design, probably the best I have seen, the overall visual effect was stunning. The videos had well-sourced appropriate film clips and posters, blended with quality bush photography.
Ash Gibson Grieg was at his best, with some wonderful original music, although did I hear the Beatles’ famous crescendo? The sound design (Kingsley Reeve) and quality was superb. Unfortunately the hall’s acoustics lost some sentences of the dialogue.
The place was packed, so booking is essential. It was 28 degrees outside last night and possibly twice that at the top of the audience seating. There was no air flow or air con.
A wonderful story, superbly produced.