THE MERRY-GO-ROUND IN THE SEA

Janice Popovsky has given GRADS permission to post her review:

Mesmerizing ‘tour de force’!

In the beginning, I didn't like the cast spinning around the ‘merry-go-round’ and being ever-present. But it wasn't long before I was completely captivated by their presence! The innovative idea of engaging the cast as the narrator, stage setting, sound effects, chorus, subconscious and Rick's nightmares was somewhat of masterpiece in dramatic presentation! It is unique and authentic and certainly sets GRADS’ standard way above other theatre companies! The cast were mesmerizing as the whistling wind, the characteristic trees, the tweeting birds and the melancholy chorus. The simple stage setting of the rain-water tank and the well-used playground equipment were effective in creating the backdrop to ‘The Merry-Go-Round in the Sea’ and the old world charm of our country town, Geraldton, in the '30s and '40s. Tim Newhouse, [the musician playing] in the tin shed complemented the setting and provided the audience with a ‘window’ into the production. The engagement of the ‘merry-go-round’ as the centrepiece of the stage production provided multiple effects. It was used in a metaphorical sense to illuminate Rob and Rick getting on and off the ‘merry-go-round’ of their lives and in the real sense to present the diverse dramatic interludes throughout their life. This dramatic effect was hightened when the ‘merry-go-round’ run out of puff and would no longer turn towards the end of the last act! It was shame that the mechanics failed, but the high standard of the performers at this stage of the production far out-weighed this malfunction! So much so, that the mesmerised audience may not have noticed this failing! The performance of the cast, particularly Andrew Dunstan (Rob) and Danen Engelenberg (Rick), were outstanding! Their ability to portray the characters and their circumstances pre, during and after the war, stage props, sound effects and narration of this ‘must read’ Western Australian story, is a ‘tour de force’! This authentic production is a credit to the director (Amanda Crewes), producer, (Yvette Wall), scriptwriters (Dickon Oxenburgh and Andrew Ross), lighting technician (Fiona Reid), Musical Director (Tim Newhouse), set designers (Monty Atherden, William Atherden and Amanda Crewes), full cast (Neel Goodwin, Kaitlin Shawcross, Jordan Holloway, Alida Chaney, Annie Blachford, Andrew Dunstan, Cameron Leese, Danen Engelenberg, Adelle Munsie, Bonnie Coyle, Jess Stenglein, Karin Staflund, Clayton Zwanenburg, Joanna Harders, Madeline Small and Agata Knapska) and everyone involved! …You deserve an official review to gain well-deserved recognition!

THE PLAY RUNS 7.30 PM WEDNESDAY TO SATURDAY UNTIL 3 AUGUST AT THE DOLPHIN THEATRE, UWA. DOOR SEATS ARE AVAILABLE