La Ronde

As many people are aware I write for Stage Whispers Magazine.
Blak Yak Reviews do not appear in Stage Whispers as there is a conflict of interests. ( I am currently President of Blak Yak ).
I had no direct involvement with the current production La Ronde.
I wrote this review for the benefit of cast and crew, but thought that sharing it in The Green Room would not be inappropriate.REVIEW OF LA RONDE - 14 March 1998Blak Yak¹s choice of its latest play La Ronde, was a brave one, not because
of the content, which is largely sexual, but because the title is not well known, it is
not by Agatha Christie or David Williamson and is not a comedy or musical. It is
however a very good play.La Ronde, written by Arthur Schnitzler at the turn of the century, was
originally set in Vienna. Director Paul Treasure has made some bold decisions and
has not only set the play in present day Perth, but changed the gender of two
characters, The Sweet Young Thing ( played by Derek Williamson ) and The Count -
now The Countess ( Therese Mavros ).The change of setting works remarkably well, with references to Northbridge,
Dalkieth and Donnybrook conjuring familiar scenes with the local audience. The
gender swapping is also interesting. The conversion of The Sweet Young Thing to a
male character is very successful. Derek¹s performance is outstanding as are those of
the actors who work with him, Richard Graham as the young husband who lectures
his wife on infidelity, then proceeds to seduce a young boy and Nick Donald as the
young poet who finds beauty in all those around him yet seems to litter almost
obsessively.The casting choice of the countess is less successful, not because of the talents
of the actress - Therese¹s performance is sincere and convincing, but because the
dialogue is awkward when spoken by a woman. This character is further hampered by
being the least successful transfer to 1997, as she is very caught in the traditions and
mannerisms of a turn of the century European gentleman.All ten performances are excellent. Tight direction ensuring that characters are
distinct and purposeful. We are presented strong and varied women, from Leah
Maher¹s teenage prostitute, through Siobhan Donald¹s sometime victim - sometime
seductress maid, to Fiona Forster¹s young wife, who deplores women who have
affairs, yet has one herself, the characters are never stereotypical and continually
interesting.Like wise the men are a varied lot, often differing vastly in personality within
the one person - depending on the woman ( or man ) they are with at the time. Again
they are unconventional such as Daniel Sloan¹s lecherous ( and curiously long haired
) soldier and The Young Gentleman from Dalkieth ( Luke Milton ) who finds it easy
to seduce his employee, but is overawed by his Œrespectable¹ dalliance.Special mention must be made of Johanna Wilson who stepped into the part of
the actress at literally a day¹s notice. Her performance was not only impeccable in
terms of dialogue and delivery ( and she has effectively one fifth of a full length play -
in duologue ) but confident and self assured.La Ronde¹s actors are supported by the best sound design that I remember
hearing in a non-professional play. Designed by the director, a well planned
soundtrack provides accompaniment to each scene, often adding an interesting
commentary on the action within. The music is predominantly popular and familiar,
but its placement is quirky and amusing - providing both an effective undercurrent
and a strong link between each of the play¹s ten scenes. My one criticism is that in
some scenes, particularly when dialogue is being gasped into cleavage or whispered
into ears, the music¹s volume needs to be reduced.Once again innovation and risktaking in the Perth Independent Theatre Scene
is not being rewarded by bums on seats. This superb production really deserves a
bigger audience.