The Fremantle Candidate

‘The Fremantle Candidate’ is another fantastically well written play by the multi-award winning Ingle Knight. This World Premiere was meant to be the opening show for the newly refurbished home of the Deckchair Theatre at the Victoria Hall in Fremantle. However, with work delays, this was not to be and the play has found itself in PICA, Northbridge. The two and a quarter-hours performances are being presented until 5^th August. Curtain up at 7.30 pm. 

         It is a dark evening in 1931 and Labor political activist, Sydney Barber (Benj D'Addario), is standing on the platform of Wellington Street station awaiting the arrival of John Curtin (Steve Turner). Could it be that Curtin has returned to WA by train from Canberra for the final time? He desperately wants to defend the seat of Fremantle, but the local party power factions have chosen another candidate. Rather than being grateful for having been met, Curtin, who is reeking of drink, treats Sydney like a lackey. 

        Instead of rushing off home to see his loving, but very tolerant wife, Elsie (Christie Sistrunk) whom he hasn’t seen for months, he demands to be taken down to the beach for a walk.

        At home Elsie is excited about his return, but he pushes her aside and retires to his office to drink and listen to Harold Bentley’s (James Hagan) local news programme on the radio. Curtin decides to approach his friends for support. Friends like the State premier, Phil Collier (Igor Sas), but Curtin’s drink problem is always in the way.

      Curtin turns to an academic, Professor Walter Murdoch (Geoff Kelso), a brilliant, welcoming man with connections to another political party. Still staunch Labor, Curtin turns to a lifelong friend and mentor, Victorian politician Frank Anstey (James Hagan).

      Will Curtin overcome the ‘curse’ and regain his position?

Ingle Knight has come up with a wonderful script, quite densely written, but for people like myself, who are ignorant of this political era, totally fascinating. However, Knight has an uncanny knack of giving out a great deal of information without you feeling as though you are in the front row of a history class. His dialogue is true to life, and fits the diverse characters perfectly. Ingle has written plays with the diverse themes of travelogue, an exciting boat race and now politics, all with huge success.

Steve Turner WAS Curtin. His looks were perfect, and his depiction of a deeply troubled mind, hidden by the cold and calm exterior was superb. Turner’s face displayed all of the battle with the drink. Christie Sistrunk portrayed the complexity of a wife who loves deeply and yet is betrayed in return. Benj D’Addario clearly gave the audience the ‘public’ view of Curtin. Igor Sas and James Hagan showed how very different politicians can be, one being back-stabbing and power orientated, the other friendly and businesslike. Geoff Kelso was delightful as the logical, unpretentious advisor, Prof. Murdoch.

Director, Chris Bendall (and his assistant Emerging Director, Michelle Trainer) handled the dense script with clarity, making the complex story easy to follow. Fiona Bruce’s set design (aided by Emerging Designer Laura Heffernan) at first appeared simple, but was actually most effective in creating completely separate and different well-furnished venues.

Ross Graham’s lighting, picked out areas and helped create Curtin’s deep loneliness. Composer and sound designer, Ash Gibson Greig, gave a subtle richness to the mood.

Fiona Bruce’s costumes were excellent, from the plain striped suit of Curtin – complete with turn-ups and the old fashioned large buttons – to the flamboyant colourful outfit of Harold Bentley. The clothes were beautifully styled, being made by Kristy Armstrong and her assistant, Emma Loughridge.

Who would ever have thought that a play about politicians could be so spellbinding and enjoyable? Highly recommended.