Love Hurts

‘Love Hurts - A Collection of Short Plays’. This brand new selection of four Australian plays is presented by the Rag and Bone Theatre group, in conjunction with Kwinana Theatre Workshop, at the Koorliny Arts Centre, at the corner of Gilmore Avenue and Sulphur Road, Kwinana. The two and a half hour performances start at 8.00 pm, with the run going until 9^th July.

‘Deadlock’ by Tony Moore      Directed by Bree Vreedenburgh

       A mad man, Bluebeard (Kyle Kash-Gregory) has after weeks of stalking, kidnapped a young girl, Lucy (Amanda Watson) and chained her to a chair in an empty house. Is he in love with her or is she just to be a toy until her inevitable death?

Two superbly powerful performances, you could really feel the girl’s anguish and suffering whilst fearing for the irrational behaviour of the captor. Very well written and directed. Clever use of green lighting to give the effect of night sights.

A small suggestion, don’t have a stage hand clearing away the old drinks bottles etc, as even though he was dressed in black and quickly efficient, it broke the illusion that the girl was abandoned and without anyone around to help her.

Wonderful.

‘The leftovers’ by Kyle Kash-Gregory                Directed by Jane Sherwood

      Several short observations at the way people die and the effect on those left behind.

These stories were interesting and varied, although they could be edited down a little.

The director has the whole cast of seven, dressed in white and moves them around the stage well. Most of the short scenarios were of groups of two or three characters. The cast were word perfect with good clear diction, but sadly there was little emotion, rapport or chemistry in any of the actors, with the result that this twenty-minute act was hard work for the audience. Some of the actors appeared in other plays later in the evening and seemed far more natural. Sadly disappointing.

‘An eye for an eye’ by John Grimshaw          Directed by Felicity May

      Prison guard (Gillian Humphreys) opens the interview room door and lets in local newspaper reporter, Liz Glass (Sue Hill), to discuss with the prisoner, Jimmy Nash (Steve Osborne) the story behind his horrific torturing murder. For Liz’s trainee reporter, Chelsea (Amy Murray) the confrontation with Jimmy is a daunting experience.

     At intervals throughout the play, two reporters (Shellee Muir) and Rachel Foucar) came on to give us the highly sensationalised and exaggerated views of the press.

There were a few technical difficulties at this point, but the overall feeling of this play was most positive. Steve gave a brilliant performance as the unemotional prisoner with a matter-of –fact approach to telling his story.

Very well written by John, in a different genre to his usual quirky humour. Good strong characters, well acted and directed.

 ‘Roses are black’ by Bree Vreedenburgh                   Directed by Jayde Clark

       The local rose growing champion, Larry (Michael Craddock) is distraught; someone is killing his prize roses. On the advice of his best friend Chuck (Aaron Smith), Larry calls the local newspaper to tell them of the vandalism. Much to his surprise they send a reporter, Rosemary (Amanda Watson) around to interview him.

       Just before she arrives, Larry has confided to Chuck his other problem in life, his wife’s infidelity. He decides that with the help of Chuck, to hire a killer, Neville (Mathew Young) and to have her exterminated. How successful will the execution be?

A very funny play, with good dialogue and a few twists. Good characterisation smoothly directed and well acted. A wonderfully bright note upon which to finish a good night’s entertainment.