The Starting Stalls

‘The Starting Stalls’ is one of half a dozen plays written by Leederville playwright, Cate Smith. Published about twenty years ago, this comedy / documentary drama was first presented at the Effie Crump Theatre and starred Kate Hall and Irene Jarzabek.

This wonderful look at Kalgoorlie after dark, is still as fresh as ever and is produced by Mandurah Little Theatre at the Fishtrap Theatre, Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Ormsby Terrace, Mandurah, The ‘starting stalls’ open for two and a half hours of grinding and bumps at 8.00 pm nightly until Saturday 18^th May. There is a matinee on the Saturday afternoon.

It is the early 1990s in the infamous Hay Street, Kalgoorlie. The scene is a common room for the working girls of a brothel. Naturally, the room is in bright pink and is littered with all the sexy trapping and tools of the trade. Set built by Graeme Gaitskell, Michael Caldwell and Rob Kettle.

       In a large armchair sits drab, middle-aged Minnie (Tracy Bolton), who like Lucy Jordan dreams of better days and what could have been. Minnie was on the game for about twenty years and has been retained by her wealthy Madame, Rosa (Judi Johnson), to supervise the girls and look after their welfare.

      Sitting on the sofa is the new attractive French prostitute, Anna (Diana Oliver) who has escaped an oppressive pimp. She is trying to understand the ways of the establishment and what is expected. Seated next to her, plucking her bikini line with eye tweezers, is Charlotte (Corrie Jacob), a very sexy worker but she has become totally disillusioned.

      Minnie shouts for the other girls to wake up, as Rosa will be around soon with some disturbing news about the new competition - The Pussy Palace - that has just opened in the town. Bikie moll, Suzy (Sky Ogier) is loved by the clients for her big boobs and tattoos. Then there is the Lolita figure, lollipop sucking, baby Maria (Veronica Welles) who can be any Daddy’s little girl. Finally, there is miserable Marika, the dominatrix hated by the other girls.

The script has obviously been well researched, and the dialogue well crafted to match the seven very different characters. The language is ripe in parts, but full of very funny comments.

The outstanding director, Karen Francis, chooses comedies that will appeal to the audience – often a little titillating and controversial – and then fearlessly presents them. Karen selects a cast that is not only daring and bold, but prepared to enjoy the show’s atmosphere along with the audience.

Although bawdy and risqué, the cast throw themselves fearlessly and whole-heartedly into their parts. The show seems to come out as inoffensive and great fun. Having a cast that appears embarrassed, or is have trouble accepting their sexy characters, would have killed the show. Many congratulations to the cast for courageously choosing scanty, diaphanous costumes and being able to flaunt them.

Surprisingly, the audience were in the older age group, and possibly seeing a bit of life that they had never experienced. Shocked? No, they all loved it.

The lighting was well thought-out and operated by Pauline Lawrence. The sound technician, Monique Kinnest, was cue perfect. There was however, an earth loop causing a loud hum when the sound effects deck was turned on. Superb, luxury programme designed by Kristie Evans.

With WA’s previous half dozen productions, this play has regularly sold-out, so treat yourselves and have a good laugh. Learn about the rough and the smooth on the other side of life, and be well entertained by an outstanding cast. Great fun.