Crimes Of The Heart - Melville Theatre

This is a repost of a review by Taurean. I have reposted it here so that it appears in the review forum. Jeff Hansen Author: Taurean Date: 08/05/2011 - 09:55 How many times have you seen the comment above and gone to see the show, only to be bored to tears? Well, not so at Melville Theatre's current show "Crimes of the Heart"!! It has been quite a while since I have posted anything on this site... but this production had me heading for the keyboard. Plays about dysfunctional families are commonplace in theatre and have been penned throughout the ages by William Shakespeare, David Williamson and Tennessee Williams to name but a few. Author Beth Henley's take on this common theme delivers a fresher look on a tale as old as time. She has chosen to tell the story of a family who live in Hazlehurst, Mississippi and has selected one specific day from their troubled life - October 23rd, 1974. Opening to the comical sight of "Lenny" (Elethea Sartorelli) stumbling in laden with suitcase, groceries and a saxophone, we soon find out that Lenny's lot in life is anything but humorous. The eldest of three girls, Lenny has to deal with the lives of her two sisters. The youngest, "Babe" (Bianca Kenna) who - among other things - is in all sorts of strife for shooting her husband. The next leaf in the family tree is the middle child, "Meg" (Tanya McCall) who doesn't seem to care much about anything except herself. Ok... got an idea of the family picture? Sounds pretty standard so far doesn't it. Now, lets introduce Lenny's well meaning yet interfering cousin, "Chick" (Kylie Calwell). Add "Grandaddy" - who is comatose in hospital. Then we'll splice in the return of an old flame, add a tincture of an underage interracial lover. Toss in a cute young lawyer, a broom, a box of nibbled chocolates and top it off with a food fight - all on poor Lenny's 30th Birthday. This excellently chosen cast will have you following their every move as they bare their characters souls on stage. Whilst the brilliant portrayals by the girls control most of the play, two gents add pivotal and poignant moments to the script. "Doc" (Robert Ross) and "Barnette" (Skyler Ellis) bring the male aspect to the stage - with some interesting results. As I mentioned earlier the play is set in Mississippi in 1974, this might make some of us cringe at the thought of bad American accents, "out of time frame" costumes and similarly out of place props but you will be pleased by the flawless voices and the eye for detail that has been given to this shows costumes and set. For me, the highlights would undoubtedly have to be the excellently timed "arguments" between the girls. These are exceptionally well performed and prove just how well these ladies know their craft. Technically, the show ran marvelously, good music choices for the period, (Although, I would like to have heard a "practical" speaker positioned behind the radio - but that is just me being an Audio Tech.) Many will agree that shows directed by Susan Lynch are good quality and well worth the night out. "Crimes of the Heart" takes that reputation to a thoroughly enjoyable new level. It was mentioned by the chap next to me (a quite well known Director and Actor in his own right) that there needs to be a "Crimes of The Heart 2" so we can all find out what happens next!! Congratulations to Susan, her cast, production team and all the people at Melville Theatre for creating a truly great show. Disclaimer?? I was, once upon a time, an ITA "adjudicator", so yes - I am familiar with most of the people involved in this production .... and it is shows like this that made that period worthwhile.