The Old Mill Theatre starts this spring with a trio of short plays – the world premiere of ‘Snow and Ash’ an absurdist play by the highly acclaimed Noel O’Neill, and two theatre classics in Sartre’s ‘No Exit’ and Pinter’s ‘The Dumb Waiter’.
‘No Exit’ features three characters who, for various sins, are brought into Hell, a room furnished with Second Empire fittings. At various points, the characters attempt to understand the absence of any instruments of torture or tormentors in Hell, but cannot comprehend how they are to be punished for their sins. As the story unfolds, and we begin to understand what drives each character, we realise that they are being tormented simply by the company of the others, giving birth to Sartre’s most famous quote – ‘Hell is other people.’
The first performance of ‘Snow and Ash’, depicts two clowns who have been left behind by their travelling circus in a country that is in the midst of violence where people are being killed simply for being themselves. While being stranded in the middle of the road, the clowns meet myriad characters in encounters that range from hilarious to downright bizarre. The performance of Rex Gray as Snow, the clown who has taken a vow of silence, is especially wonderful.
‘The Dumb Waiter’ opens with two hit-men in a Birmingham basement, in a building that is later revealed to have been a cafe. In the middle of the setting, is the titular ‘character’, a dumbwaiter. The two assassins have contrasting personalities in the way they handle their situation. The senior and wizened partner, who has accepted the distance between him and his superiors. The junior partner, on the other hand, questions each and every aspect of their situation as his impatience grows. The two-man cast puts together an amazing performance of a play that is so delicate in its treatment of silence as an essential part of dialogue.
The venue for this is the charming Old Mill Theatre in South Perth, a remnant of old world charm with high ceilings and great booming acoustics. Special mention must be made of the set construction department, who has only 10 minute breaks between plays to transform the stage to the next play’s setting. As we attended the first night of the show, we were also treated to wine and cheese at the end, which made for the perfect end to a very memorable evening.
Gautam Jadhav
The trio of short plays at the Old Mill Theatre continue on October 3, 4 and 5. On October 4 and 5 ‘No Exit’ will be replaced by Jerome McDonough’s ‘Juvie’. Tickets are $25, $20 concession – book on 9367 8719, email oldmilltheatre@iinet.net.au or online HERE.