Birth, Death and Somewhere in Between

‘Birth, Death and Somewhere in Between’ is a new trilogy of interconnect monologues, written and directed by WA writer Kerry Bowden. The production is presented by Strawboat Collective, a small independent theatre company, newly formed by Kerry for both emerging and experienced artists. The aim being to give the actors opportunities to explore and experiment in the theatre.

Initially, the author’s idea was to have a single show for a select group of friends and theatricals, to give them a chance to see this performance before it travels to the internationally acclaimed Edmonton Festival in Canada next week; however, like Topsy, it just grew and grew, and Nick ended up playing to an overflowing house in the College’s theatre.

This 65-minute performance was presented at the Ellen Street Theatre of the John Curtin College of the Arts, Fremantle at 7.30 pm. on the evening of 3^rd August.

Playwright Kerry has built up a reputation for her quality, true-to-life writing, having reached the final of Perth’s highly prestigious ‘Maj Monologues’ competition, when she won the People’s Choice Award. Since then she has had her works performed at other Festivals.

The performer is Nick Stevenson, a seventeen years old theatrical school graduate. Like many boys of his age, he has had the usual run of parts in school productions with roles from Shakespeare to comedy, but very early in his career it became obvious that he had that ‘special extra’.

        Nineteen year old surfing fanatic, Toby, wakes up from a nightmare brought about by his fear of telling his family and his girlfriend’s parents that she is three months pregnant. He starts to realise what this will mean to his social life and his already pathetic university studies, besides there is the problem of just how little he knows about babies.

       With a one minute break on stage, actor Nick changes costume and morphs into Toby’s eighty one year old grandfather, Vincent, the man most feared by the carers at the Old Folks’ Home where he stays. Vincent hates the place and how it is draining him of his mental skills. There is no activity – there can only be one solution!

       Then along comes Peter, Toby’s father, a beer swilling, male chauvinist who is reluctantly about to celebrate his fiftieth birthday. Toby’s Mum insists that it will be a day to remember, and Peter certainly makes that wish come true.

As any director knows – avoid children and animals - because to have a teenager perform well as part of a cast can be difficult. To have a youngster perform a single twenty-minute monologue can be pushing your luck. To ask a young actor to perform three lengthy monologues in an hour, each depicting an assortment of very different characters, can be a dangerous challenge. However, with Kerry Bowden’s natural dialogue, this young man was totally at home, as he progressed flawlessly through the different generations of the same family.

Faced with various ages, accents, personalities, male and female, Nick was rapidly straight into the part, inhabiting each persona and quality without a hitch. He had obviously closely observed the people that he played. He knew every bodily movement, expression and even managed a teary moment when it was called for.

Great credit must go to director Kerry Bowden for giving Nick Stevenson a chance to find his full acting potential. A standing ovation is rare, but when the whole theatre rose to their feet for this 17 year old, then this was something special. Nick Stevenson is certainly a name to remember and look for in the future.