Stories from Suburban Road

‘Stories from Suburban Road’ is a collection of seven short tales from the biography of WA playwright Tom Hungerford, who was brought up at the junction of Mill Point Road and South Street (now a book café), in South Perth – the area in the stories. This production is at Stirling Theatre, Morris Place, Innaloo. The season runs until the 24^th September, with Sunday matinees on the 11^th and 18^th at 2.00 pm.

       One day, young Tom Hungerford (Madelaine Page) is given a black bantam hen (Ella Evans) and despite being petrified of showing his mother (Shayla Brown) and father (Brendan Ellis) takes it home as his new pet. The reception for the fowl, whilst being enthusiastic from his two sisters, Peg (Ashlea Crellin) and Lal (Tahlia McQuade), along with his brother Mickey (Steve Anderson) is frowned upon by his parents.
       Another day Tom (Alexandra York – Tom changes in the stories) and his brother Ernie decide to investigate the elderly recluse and child kidnapper, Ally Breen (Paul Anderson) a truly frightening task.
       On the night that Mrs Moodie (Christine Ellis) came around to the house for a game of cribbage, a loud mouthed American, Rudolph ‘Vaselino’ (Shaun Hontomin) arrives and seems to be suspiciously eyed by Tom’s father all evening.

This adaption by Alan Becher was first presented at the Playhouse Theatre in Perth nine years ago, with a cast, many of whom now have found fame in film and TV. They were, however, all in their late twenties or thirties when performing. On the other hand, this presentation has a cast very near to the ages of the children concerned, thus giving a real charm and innocence to the hilarious episodes. The brilliant cast had perfect pace, clear diction, delivering their lines with real feeling.

Tom, as he got older, was played by four different cast members all of whom had exceptional communication skills. Madelaine Page especially had the twinkle in the eye and the ability to mesmerise her audience.

Ella Evans as the bantam and the lithe choreographer, Leah Bennet, as the goanna, were delightful as they portrayed the many movements of the creatures.

Director Christine Ellis and her assistant director Leah Bennet, had a great deal of courage to take on a dozen youngsters and let them, with almost no adult actors, perform the two enchanting hours.

The lighting computer failed – a new panel is on its way - but the manual operation by newcomer to the bio box Arno De Smalen, under the supervision of sound and lighting designer Ian Wilson was as good as the computed system. The sound effects were realistic and crisply recorded. The play had great ambiance.

The set (Kevan Hook and Paul Anderson) of corrugated iron sheets as flats at the sides of the stage, gave the perfect atmosphere for the Hungerford’s home and the surrounding Chinese vegetable gardens.

A huge amount of work has gone into this outstanding production. This NOT merely another embarrassing children’s production for proud parents, had it been an adult cast it would still have been extra special. With such a young set of actors the result was outstanding.

If you are a grandparent, then see this play and smile as you recall incidents like eating dripping pieces. If you are a parent you will love a look at life South of the River and its culture, so different to that North of the River, and if you are a youngster over the age of 8 then you will be fascinated by the pranks the kids got up to only 70 years ago. It is a wonderful show for all the family. The best children’s play since ‘Noah the Musical’ five years ago.

This has all of the magic of the two ‘Smiley’ books and films. Try not to miss it.