Laryngectomy: Parables and Homilies on the Freedom of Speech
Wed, 1 Feb 2012, 11:51 amGordon the Optom1 post in thread
Laryngectomy: Parables and Homilies on the Freedom of Speech
Wed, 1 Feb 2012, 11:51 am‘Laryngectomy: Parables and Homilies on the Freedom of Speech’ is the award winning show written by Joe Lui Shang Yu and Demelza Rogers. It has been revived in a brand new form for the ‘Summer Nights’ season by Renegade Productions. By booking through The Blue Room Theatre, or PICA, will to get you tickets for $5 less than the standard Fringe World prices.
This dominant 90-minute production is being presented nightly at 9.30, in the PICA Performance Space. Performances until the 4th February.
The original presentation was seen at the Blue Room several months ago, and has its review at http://www.theatre.asn.au/theatre_reviews/laryngectomy_parables_and_homilies_on_the_freedom_of_speech
The lights are dim, and a young girl (Demelza Rogers), with her eyes bound so that in this censored state she cannot see the world, staggers her way across the stage and is offered the chance to fight back. However she is too weak to face the challenge. Some monkeys (Paul Grabovac and Chris Donnolly), symbolic of the brainwashed general public, and bound in chains enter to carry out their everyday tasks. Eventually they find their freedom, but like Lord Byron’s ‘Prisoner of Chillon’ when they attain liberty, they are lost. They even offer the audience the chance to join them in their freedom, but it is not taken up. The general public being safe in their own misguided censored and sheltered existence.
The presentation boldly gives us examples of censorship, and how it is ruining the society it is trying to protect.
The dialogue for this production is exceptionally clever and erudite. The presentation is technically amazing; with one of the best soundscapes I have heard in a very long time. The play is filled with in-your-face symbolism, at times a little difficult to interpret, but skilfully satirical.
Compared to the first production, Joe Lui’s sharp punches are still there however his capable assistant, Mikala Westall, has helped achieve a fine balance. Jessica Rawnsley being the mild and logical mind. However, by her dress, one can tell that what she is saying is not what her true self feels.
There is a very fine dance sequence by the two guards (dramaturgy by Katya Shevtsov), who after abusing a woman and a water-boarding sequence, are still happy to carry on conscience-free orders.
Renegade Productions are about the only company in Perth who are happy to give their stories the true bight that the message deserves. Most of the audiences are fed up with the bland plays that are weekly presented for our ‘delight’. Here Renegade tackle several new taboos in their challenge against censorship and bigotry. How often does one hear ‘I was shocked – well I wasn’t embarrassed, but I was worried for others!’? This is the kind of protective censorship that is gradually creeping over our society.
The directors Joe and Mikala are not shoving their opinions down our throat, but advising and demonstrating what is happening to our free speech, and how it should be protected at all cost.
This powerful production, stage managed by Matt Marino will have you thinking for days to come. Perhaps some might not understand the symbolism, but the bravery of the performers and the subjects tackled are compulsory viewing.
‘Laryngectomy: Parables and Homilies on the Freedom of Speech’ is the award winning show written by Joe Lui Shang Yu and Demelza Rogers. It has been revived in a brand new form for the ‘Summer Nights’ season by Renegade Productions. By booking through The Blue Room Theatre, or PICA, will to get you tickets for $5 less than the standard Fringe World prices.
This dominant 90-minute production is being presented nightly at 9.30, in the PICA Performance Space. Performances until the 4th February.
The original presentation was seen at the Blue Room several months ago, and has its review at http://www.theatre.asn.au/theatre_reviews/laryngectomy_parables_and_homilies_on_the_freedom_of_speech
The lights are dim, and a young girl (Demelza Rogers), with her eyes bound so that in this censored state she cannot see the world, staggers her way across the stage and is offered the chance to fight back. However she is too weak to face the challenge. Some monkeys (Paul Grabovac and Chris Donnolly), symbolic of the brainwashed general public, and bound in chains enter to carry out their everyday tasks. Eventually they find their freedom, but like Lord Byron’s ‘Prisoner of Chillon’ when they attain liberty, they are lost. They even offer the audience the chance to join them in their freedom, but it is not taken up. The general public being safe in their own misguided censored and sheltered existence.
The presentation boldly gives us examples of censorship, and how it is ruining the society it is trying to protect.
The dialogue for this production is exceptionally clever and erudite. The presentation is technically amazing; with one of the best soundscapes I have heard in a very long time. The play is filled with in-your-face symbolism, at times a little difficult to interpret, but skilfully satirical.
Compared to the first production, Joe Lui’s sharp punches are still there however his capable assistant, Mikala Westall, has helped achieve a fine balance. Jessica Rawnsley being the mild and logical mind. However, by her dress, one can tell that what she is saying is not what her true self feels.
There is a very fine dance sequence by the two guards (dramaturgy by Katya Shevtsov), who after abusing a woman and a water-boarding sequence, are still happy to carry on conscience-free orders.
Renegade Productions are about the only company in Perth who are happy to give their stories the true bight that the message deserves. Most of the audiences are fed up with the bland plays that are weekly presented for our ‘delight’. Here Renegade tackle several new taboos in their challenge against censorship and bigotry. How often does one hear ‘I was shocked – well I wasn’t embarrassed, but I was worried for others!’? This is the kind of protective censorship that is gradually creeping over our society.
The directors Joe and Mikala are not shoving their opinions down our throat, but advising and demonstrating what is happening to our free speech, and how it should be protected at all cost.
This powerful production, stage managed by Matt Marino will have you thinking for days to come. Perhaps some might not understand the symbolism, but the bravery of the performers and the subjects tackled are compulsory viewing.