The Myth of Julian Rose

‘The Myth of Julian Rose’ is written by WA playwright Daniel Kershaw (who gained a 2006 Southwest Drama Festival writer’s award). This World Premiere is presented by Mondo Di Corpo productions, as part of The Blue Room Theatre’s 21st birthday season. The production is showing at the Blue Room Studio at 53 James Street, Northbridge until 26^th June, all shows at 8.30 pm.

          Newly engaged Isabella (Jo Morris) and her fiancé Julian Rose (James Helm) are starting to have a bit of loving fun on the sofa, when Julian recoils in fear. The woman he is making love to is not his darling Isabella, but someone that he doesn’t recognise.
         Later, going through some old school books, Julian finds a copy of ‘Greek Myths’ and starts flicking through it. There is one story that used to terrify him as a child, that was the tale of the Minotaur. As the couple lead their lives, a ghostly figure appears in the form of the Minotaur (Sarah Nelson) and starts stalking them. Julian finds this every difficult to cope with, and so he goes to see his long term friend and drinking partner, Sebastian (Glenn Hall) for advice.
         Over the months, Julian’s self-esteem disappears, and a deep depression settles in.
         Will Isabella’s joy help to change her partner’s mood? Will Julian every come to terms with his dark and disturbing past?

A quick resume of the Minotaur story.
King Minos of Crete prayed to Poseidon to send him a snow-white bull to sacrifice as an offering. He coveted the bull for himself, replacing it for slaughter with an inferior animal. As a result of this deceit, Poseidon punished Minos by making his wife, Pasiphae, fall in love with the bull. She was disguised as a wooden cow and the bull made love to her in the meadow. The result of the union was a son, Minotaur (literally Minos’ bull). 
To appease this horrible being, with the head of a bull on the body of a man, held captive in a gigantic labyrinth, each year Minos forced the Athenians to send seven young maidens and seven youths to be locked in the maze as a sacrifice.
When Theseus learned of the Minotaur and the sacrifices, he volunteered to go as one of the victims. After a fierce contest, the Minotaur was beaten to death by Theseus, who, with the help of his new love, Minos' daughter Ariadne, made it out of the labyrinth by following a thread he had tied to the entrance.

This clever, complex and beautifully constructed story, starts at a deliberately slow pace, with flippant trivialities. The mood changing to tension, then fear and ending in a climax of genuine horror and terror. Daniel Kershaw has done a brilliant job of blending the original myth with a modern day love story. The tale has many parallels and metaphors, and keeps the audience wondering what is going to happen next in this suspense filled play. The director (Marisa Garreffa) has very effectively employed a wardrobe (C. F. Lewis style) to transport us from one era, or one place to another. Again she shows her inventive skills, giving life, movement and excitement to the production.

The Minotaur’s entrance and disturbing presence was heightened by breathtaking live cello music played by Tristen Parr, who also contributed the general background macabre ‘rumbles and groans’.

The Minotaur’s stunningly devised costume was created by Colleen Sutherland, with Bobbi Jo Diviniti looking after the rest of the cast. Ami McDonald and Rosie Martin developed the set which was a blend of the modern and the ethereal.

A special mention of Karen Cook’s lighting, which was creepy and surreal. She also realised that when people watch TV that a static white glow is not realistic.

This whole show from the quality programme, to the truly magnificent performances - which evoked all of the emotions - will sell out quickly. Breathtaking, try not to miss it.