The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds
Fri, 25 June 2010, 08:21 amGordon the Optom3 posts in thread
The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds
Fri, 25 June 2010, 08:21 am‘The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds’ was written in 1964 by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Paul Zindel. This autobiographical play, written in the style of Tennessee Williams ran in New York for 819 performances. Now it is being presented by Phoenix Theatre Inc. at the Memorial Hall, corner Carrington Street and Rockingham Road Hamilton Hill. Curtin up at 8.00 pm each evening until the 3rd July. One Matinee on Sunday 27th June at 2.00 pm.
The auditorium is dark and the stage dim. We hear the voice of the central character of the story, young Matilda or ‘Tillie’ (Melissa Kiiveri), an introverted and withdrawn girl who is teased mercilessly at school. Tillie explains how the atoms in her hand have been part of many forms throughout history.
The stage lights brighten to reveal Beatrice Hunsdorfer (Cally Zanik), an eccentric young widow who looks well past her sell-by date. She is on the phone to Mr. Goodman, Tillie's mentor and science teacher, struggling to explain Tillie’s frequent absenteeism. She thanks him for Peter, the pet rabbit; he has allowed Tillie to bring home and is very gracious. However, once Beatrice hangs up, her manner changes and she irately attacks Tillie for putting her in such a position.
As a single mother her life has gone askew. She domineeringly supports herself and her two daughters by caring for Nanny (Barbara Good), an elderly, practically mute boarder who is unwanted by her high-flying daughter. Nanny shuffles into the room with her Zimmer. Beatrice relentlessly mocks her.
Beatrice copes with life through drink, and distrust, as she pours retribution on everyone for her abysmal life.
The older daughter, pretty Ruth (Carmen Miles), is a brazen but bewildered child. A highly strung girl who is subject to epileptic attacks. She conquers her mother’s abuse by belittling Matilda, thus putting her in favour. Ruth likes to hear about her granddad who was a vegetable vendor. He raised Beatrice as a sole parent and Beatrice worshipped him.
Tillie survives by engrossing herself in science. Her mother detests her talent and self-assurance, so Tillie receives the full impact of the abuse.
The school is having a science fair, Tillie sets up her experiment, studying the growth of marigolds raised from seeds which have been treated with radioactive cobalt-60. Beatrice is inwardly proud of Tillie’s flair, but due to her self-pitying her own lack of success in life, is extremely jealous. Beatrice only talks about her dream to transform her disgusting hovel into a teashop.
Tillie's rival at science, the sadistic, bitchy, Janice Vickery (Kat Duynstee), has a particularly nasty experiment to offer the judges.
Will Tillie’s perseverance against all odds eventually pay off? Will the varying personalities of the family, just like the marigolds, overcome the threats and emerge as a beautiful cohesive, stronger unit?
This is a chronicle of pathetic solitude, tired dreams and the constant search for the light at the end of the tunnel. Tillie’s science experiment is a metaphor, the damaging ‘gamma ray’ being the mother and the effect on her daughters, the ‘flowers’ surviving despite their harsh surroundings.
Director Jane Sherwood has chosen a particularly difficult piece of drama, but with a very strong cast she has produced a fantastic result. I can only hope that unlike one of last year’s extraordinary plays, ‘Jo Egg’ – it also starred Melissa Kiiveri – which was sadly poorly attended, that the audiences will go to see this drama for the characterisation and bold approach.
Relatively newcomer, Cally, has bravely taken on a huge part. Her acting was strong, expression and body language very good but perhaps a little more variety in the voice, an octave lower at times would give a more domineering effect. The remaining cast were excellent and captured their characters beautifully, with Melissa subtly expressing her emotions superbly.
Excellent crisp sound design by Danni Close and well devised lighting by Mario Piccolo.
After watching this sad play you may well wish to slash your wrists, but before doing so, please give some thought to the amazing piece of writing and wonderful performances that you have just experienced. Try and see this dysfunctional family.
‘The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds’ was written in 1964 by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Paul Zindel. This autobiographical play, written in the style of Tennessee Williams ran in New York for 819 performances. Now it is being presented by Phoenix Theatre Inc. at the Memorial Hall, corner Carrington Street and Rockingham Road Hamilton Hill. Curtin up at 8.00 pm each evening until the 3rd July. One Matinee on Sunday 27th June at 2.00 pm.
The auditorium is dark and the stage dim. We hear the voice of the central character of the story, young Matilda or ‘Tillie’ (Melissa Kiiveri), an introverted and withdrawn girl who is teased mercilessly at school. Tillie explains how the atoms in her hand have been part of many forms throughout history.
The stage lights brighten to reveal Beatrice Hunsdorfer (Cally Zanik), an eccentric young widow who looks well past her sell-by date. She is on the phone to Mr. Goodman, Tillie's mentor and science teacher, struggling to explain Tillie’s frequent absenteeism. She thanks him for Peter, the pet rabbit; he has allowed Tillie to bring home and is very gracious. However, once Beatrice hangs up, her manner changes and she irately attacks Tillie for putting her in such a position.
As a single mother her life has gone askew. She domineeringly supports herself and her two daughters by caring for Nanny (Barbara Good), an elderly, practically mute boarder who is unwanted by her high-flying daughter. Nanny shuffles into the room with her Zimmer. Beatrice relentlessly mocks her.
Beatrice copes with life through drink, and distrust, as she pours retribution on everyone for her abysmal life.
The older daughter, pretty Ruth (Carmen Miles), is a brazen but bewildered child. A highly strung girl who is subject to epileptic attacks. She conquers her mother’s abuse by belittling Matilda, thus putting her in favour. Ruth likes to hear about her granddad who was a vegetable vendor. He raised Beatrice as a sole parent and Beatrice worshipped him.
Tillie survives by engrossing herself in science. Her mother detests her talent and self-assurance, so Tillie receives the full impact of the abuse.
The school is having a science fair, Tillie sets up her experiment, studying the growth of marigolds raised from seeds which have been treated with radioactive cobalt-60. Beatrice is inwardly proud of Tillie’s flair, but due to her self-pitying her own lack of success in life, is extremely jealous. Beatrice only talks about her dream to transform her disgusting hovel into a teashop.
Tillie's rival at science, the sadistic, bitchy, Janice Vickery (Kat Duynstee), has a particularly nasty experiment to offer the judges.
Will Tillie’s perseverance against all odds eventually pay off? Will the varying personalities of the family, just like the marigolds, overcome the threats and emerge as a beautiful cohesive, stronger unit?
This is a chronicle of pathetic solitude, tired dreams and the constant search for the light at the end of the tunnel. Tillie’s science experiment is a metaphor, the damaging ‘gamma ray’ being the mother and the effect on her daughters, the ‘flowers’ surviving despite their harsh surroundings.
Director Jane Sherwood has chosen a particularly difficult piece of drama, but with a very strong cast she has produced a fantastic result. I can only hope that unlike one of last year’s extraordinary plays, ‘Jo Egg’ – it also starred Melissa Kiiveri – which was sadly poorly attended, that the audiences will go to see this drama for the characterisation and bold approach.
Relatively newcomer, Cally, has bravely taken on a huge part. Her acting was strong, expression and body language very good but perhaps a little more variety in the voice, an octave lower at times would give a more domineering effect. The remaining cast were excellent and captured their characters beautifully, with Melissa subtly expressing her emotions superbly.
Excellent crisp sound design by Danni Close and well devised lighting by Mario Piccolo.
After watching this sad play you may well wish to slash your wrists, but before doing so, please give some thought to the amazing piece of writing and wonderful performances that you have just experienced. Try and see this dysfunctional family.
"particularly nasty experiment"?
Where are all the people