Flesh Wounds

‘Flesh Wounds’ is the latest play from the WA award winning playwright, Jessica Messenger. Developed with funding from Stages (WA Playwright Consortium) and the talent of Kate Rice as dramaturge, this premiere is showing at the Old Mill Theatre, Mends Street, South Perth until Saturday 24^th March.  Curtain up, for this two hour show, is at 8.00 pm. There is one matinee on Sunday 18^th March at 2.00 pm.

          As the audience filter into the theatre, they are greeted by a pleasant busker, Jacob (Andy Hopkins). He asks for requests, and sings beautifully, but when the time comes for the collection, as usual, the response is nil. He tells the crowd in no uncertain terms, how hard he has to work in an attempt to be self-supporting and how uncaring they are by their miserliness.
       Jacob starts strumming again, when along comes Sam (Bonnie Coyle) who settles down to listen to him. She is extremely shy and totally without any self-confidence. Quietly she sings along with Jacob, and then he realises that this is the divine girl that he needs for his dream band. Sam panics at the suggestion and rushes off to work. She tells her caring workmate Tara (Belinda Huggins) about her wistful experience.
       In another street, Cameron (Gareth Jay) picks up his daily soy latte from the corner cafe, and finds himself unburdening his conflicting dilemmas with God, to the concerned barista Paul (Charles McComb). Cameron sets off to his work at Centrelink, to find his first client of the day is Kayla (Madelaine Page), a girl with attitude and a massive chip on her shoulder. Cameron is concerned and so gives her his personal ‘phone number.

This is the facade that is seen at the beginning of the play, but gradually in poignant vignettes, the full depths of the characters’ problems, their moral fibre and personalities are trickled out to the audience.

The very different personalities are exceptionally well developed. The dialogue is natural and what one would expect from the characters presented. The storyline cuts cleverly and smoothly from one thread to another. The script has a great deal of humour in the situations, and although the underlying tale is one of morals and how to tackle situations in today’s state of affairs, it is still very light and certainly not moralising.

Admirable direction by Jess Messenger, the performance had good pace, plenty of interesting situations, and first-rate acting by a talented cast. A special mention of Bonnie Coyle who gave a most touching performance, both emotionally and in song. The contemporary set (Theo Messenger, Mario Piccoli) had miniature areas which were picked out by well-positioned, selective lighting.

A very pleasant evening, filled with humour, food for thought and beautiful singing. Most enjoyable.