West Reviews 'The Myth of Julian Rose'

For everything thinking of seeing The Myth of Julian Rose, perhaps this except from the review in today's West might persuade you to come down. “This stunning production from director Marisa Garreffa is full of suprises and is a sensory feast from the moment you enter the studio space... James Helm as Julian is outstanding... Jo Morris and Glenn Hall deliver tight and disciplined performances... Sarah Nelson as the minotaur is perfection. Kershaw's script is earthy in its vocabulary and natural in tone. He builds tension effectively and the dramatic climax, which so easily could have been melodramatic, is gripping and horrifying ... Kershaw is a new writing talent to watch." - page 9 Arts, Western Australian. (Reviewer: Ali Taulbut) You can see The Myth of Julian Rose Tues-Sat until the 26th June at the Blue Room. Hope to see you there.

How fantastic to see a local writer receive an accolade... 'Kershaw is a new writing talent to watch.' Well done Daniel. Looking forward to seeing the play. cheers Johnny Grim

Went last night and was most impressed with the whole production. We were seated at the front with parts of the set so close it felt like we may become part of the production. ALL of the performers are very good but Sarah Nelson gets extra points for delivery of a performance that relies on her movement (you'll see what I mean). And by performers, let's include the gentleman who did the music because it was so effective, it was a character in itself. It can't be easy playing a cello in low-level lighting wreathed in stage smoke - well done. Daniel, this is a quantum leap forward for you and as I said to you last night, points to even better things to come in the future. Your love of language shows through but perhaps the improvement for me is in the fact that you have eased back on the wordy monologues giving your actors more "space" in which to create mood and emotion. The words you chose were enough to create the drama and for this piece, less was so much more. This production is very much the some of it's parts and the direction of Marisa Gareffa shows as being integral to the success of the piece. There are moments that could roll over into the melodramatic, not because of the writing but in the hands of less talented performers it could have easily steered in that direction. Marisa's choices (and listening to her after the performance this included chopping dialogue, changing scenes, ditching costumes....right up until the final moment) showed that whilst she allowed the production to come together organically, she had the courage to make the tough decisions to ensure the piece held it's form. Daniel was very wise to listen to her counsel when she was chopping some of his dialogue and kudos to him for doing so. Not an easy thing to allow that control to slip from your hands. Finally, the production team should have been on hand to take a bow. Great set, great costumes (can't say too much here 'cos it may spoil), effective lighting. Well done all. Daniel Kershaw is a friend so there may be some bias in my waffle but I sincerely believe this play is a large step in his writing career and Daniel's arrival as a significant young WA talent. Do yourself a favour, get off your arse, get to the Blue Room and give it a squizz. Subject matter is disturbing so don't bring the wee ones. Looking forward to Daniel's next play - a one act bio-piece entitled "The Reality of Daniel Kershaw". Nice one mate.

Indeed, an excellent job all round. Get along to see it while you can. Dare I say it ... it's a minor tour de force. jD

Thank you Murray for you kind words. And I really like your pun jD.

I just recalled I had a line very similar to that in the script. It got cut.

Rarely do you get to see a show of this calibre, be it co-op, am-dram or pro. In fact, these finicky delineations simply don't matter; The Myth Of Julian Rose (written by Daniel Kershaw and produced by Mondo Di Corpo Theatre Productions) is simply a brilliant production of an excellent play. From the assured performances of the cast- all four are excellent, but surely James Helm's Julian and Sarah Nelson's Grace/Minotaur will resonate in the memory for a long time. Jo Morris as Isabella is put throught the emotional and physical wringer, and is triumphant from her very first scene. To the "simple" language that retells an ancient myth in a modern context- Kershaw's engaging script rings true through each scene as we watch Julian slowly unravel, leaving his fiancee to assemble the jigsaw of her love's life. All under the watching eye of "The Prescence"... Nothing in this show is forced or contrived, yet the firm grasp that director Marisa Garreffa so obviously has of this script is abundantly clear in each minute of the play. A lesser director would lose the thread of this story (excuse the hideous mythological pun/reference), and only a director of her undoubted quality would be brave enough to leave enough ambiguity for the audience to reach their own conclusions. VERY rarely have I watched a show that so perfectly marries its teechnical elements to the telling of its story. Tristen Parr's cello performance does indeed become a character of its own. The production design in total overcomes the shortcomings of the venue's dimension with aplomb, and indeed turns a possible impediment to its advantage. Enough waxing enthusiastic; this is MUST-SEE theatre. Even if for no other reason than to watch a young Perth-based company get it so totally right. Kudos to all concerned. Eliot McCann