How to Make a Masterpiece

‘How to Make a Masterpiece’ is a zany comedy by young WA playwright, Scott McArdle. As well as being a Murdoch student, Scott is a technician in Murdoch’s Nexus Theatre. This premiere is being mounted by Second Chance Theatre and is their third production. It is being presented in the Murdoch University Drama Workshop 100-seat theatre (a good rake), opposite car park 4, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch.  

There will be five 2-hour shows; three evening performances starting at 7.00 pm and two matinees at 3.00 pm. Season until Saturday 24^th November. 

       In a Manhattan loft lives a reclusive artist, turned playwright, the eccentric Clive Carrow (Jake Shannon). Clive is a man who has great difficulty with even the most basic social intercourse. He was engaged by a most litigious film mogul, Sir Jergan (Justin Crossley) to write a script, however, Clive has had writer’s block – for four years. 

      Looking after Clive’s step-into-the-past attic flat is his aging butler, Harold (Daley King). This trusty servant tries hard to look after Clive but he is a difficult man to control. Even the young lady in his life, Ada (Amy Murray), although beautiful and sensuous doesn’t seem to breach his senses.

      Clive has a wonderful friend, Ronald (Andrew Dawson) who believes that he is a supreme human being. Ron is constantly being chased by the police, especially Inspector Bernard (Rhys Hyatt) and Sergeant Tate (Jerry Bates) who seem to think that all of the evil on the streets comes back to poor Ronald. Then there is the old dear downstairs, landlady Mrs Hatchet (Rachel Doulton) who doesn’t seem to miss any visitor or sound from the flat.

      One morning, the radiant Catherine (Rhianna Hall) who has known Clive since his school days, calls and with tears in her eyes and reminds him that the next day she is to be married to another, and that Clive MUST come to the wedding. This visit is followed by the slightly unsuccessful, Mafia Godfather, Joe Jnr. (Thomas Dimmick) and his sidekick, Tommy (Jordan Fowler).

      Harold orders a pizza that is delivered in seconds by a curious pizza delivery girl (Harriet Fettis). The situation is getting worse by the minute, can the feisty clairvoyant, Ursula (Anna Weir) help them? Who is the undesirable, Rudolph (Stephan Crossley)?

The 19 years old writer / director, Scott McArdle deserves credit for attracting such a capable crew and cast, who must have had a great deal of faith in his talent to put on this play so late in the university term. Scott has produced an extremely high standard of play for a man of his age, the dialogue works very well, and there are good storylines and side threads. The characters are all very different and the dialogue has been skilfully written to match their personalities. There are a few areas that could be tidied up or have slight editing, but the overall result is that of someone who has been writing for years.

When the writer is also the director, on wearing the director’s hat it is easy to assume that the actions and expressions of the cast are adequate and self explanatory, when in fact the audience can be left a little confused. This cast, however, are a friendly ‘family’ and I am sure that a little team work has gone into this production and hence the play has taken on a well groomed appearance.

Rebecca Patterson’s design was most effective, with some unusual props. Kaitlyn Barry had some tricky makeup to apply; perhaps less is better when hair greying is called for, but the latex aged skin effect worked very well. Aiden Willoughby smoothly operated Drew Krapljanov’s understated and beautiful soundscape.

The style of the direction was generally very good, but in a comedy it is unwise to have too many madcap, peculiar characters. The first Act was little too over-the-top, but the more restrained second Act was much more successful. Film actor, Leslie Nielsen achieved his fame in films like ‘Airplane’ and ‘Naked Gun’ by playing his part almost straight, with subtle madness in the background, I think this approach would probably have been more successful with this play.

Even the play’s curtain call was most original and filled with fun. A huge amount of work has gone into this play by all concerned and I look forward to seeing many new works from Scott in the future. If you enjoy well presented madness then you will love this, well done.