Last Resorts
Thu, 11 Oct 2012, 11:33 amGordon the Optom1 post in thread
Last Resorts
Thu, 11 Oct 2012, 11:33 am‘Last Resorts’ is a Stirling Players Youth group (SPY) writers’ project. The début performances of these two, 30-minute plays will be for two nights only at the Stirling Theatre, 25 Morris Place, Innaloo. These performances are on the 12th and 13th October at 7.30 pm.
Tickets are at the bargain price of $5, in the hope that any youngsters who are keen to join a theatre group will come along and meet the friendly crowd at Stirling.
There are two groups - a Junior Group (13 - 15 year olds) and a Senior Group (16 - 24 year olds) who are given a creative opportunity to learn the different aspects of performance and production. This year the groups are operating with their own management committees.
A great deal of credit should be given to the team leaders (Keren Schlink, Joshua Walker and Brendan Ellis) who run this unique, WA theatre training group; the passion of the trainers and directors shows in the acting of these enthusiastic youngsters.
‘A Dragon is Essential’ was written by James Forte, one of Nedland’s talented playwrights, who only took to writing in his later years. James has written several short plays and monologues for a hobby, but this is his first to reach the stage.
The director is talented theatre graduate, Matthew Randall.
In French Mediaeval style, a spot-lit troubadour (Gabe O’Sullivan) with dry humour and deliberately hammy poetry gives an outline of the story being presented.
Poor Lisbeth Bradshaw (Natalie Baggen) has yet another school assignment to finish, and with her father (Jonathan Young) breathing down her neck, she has to get help quickly. Perhaps Alex (Alex Hall), the handsome lad in her class may assist her, but can she talk him into helping?
This is a well written play, in which many youngsters will see themselves. The quirky narrator was an interesting addition, although I am not sure whether this genre of play was the correct vehicle. The cast completely understood the characterisation required and delivered their lines with conviction and emotion. Excellent team work.
‘The End of Our Youth’ is the first play written by 17 year-old Madeline Mowat to reach the stage. Madeline, who was born on the same date as playwrights Christopher Marlowe and Sir Henry Irving must inevitably be a talent to be watched.
The director is ECU undergraduate and talented actor, Madelaine Page.
University students, Sophie (Courtney Turner) and her best friend, Jess (Mariah O'Dea) are lounging around in their flat. They are discussing Sophie’s health problem and whether to tell her parents. Sophie’s quiet boyfriend, Harry (Luke Thornley) is her main support, and he in turn gets his advice from level-headed, Josh (Shaun Hontomin).
How will Sophie overcome her trouble?
The maturity of the writing and the sentiment expressed is very good. The dialogue for such a delicate subject demands advanced skills, Madeline didn’t quite get there, but there is strong promise.
Because the characters are well fleshed out, it actually left me wanting more. An idiosyncratic play that would blossom further from another twenty minutes, a nice change from the many student plays that have the audience desperately waiting for the end.
Again the cast captured the depth of the characters. The director, by using two different doors, one on each side of the stage, convincingly created two different locations without unnecessary scene changes. A good natural flow to the acting.
The lighting operator was Anka Čikić and the audio operator, Sarah McSweeney; first-class smooth teching.
At only $5 a ticket, a chance to see the up and coming teenage talent. Well done.
‘Last Resorts’ is a Stirling Players Youth group (SPY) writers’ project. The début performances of these two, 30-minute plays will be for two nights only at the Stirling Theatre, 25 Morris Place, Innaloo. These performances are on the 12th and 13th October at 7.30 pm.
Tickets are at the bargain price of $5, in the hope that any youngsters who are keen to join a theatre group will come along and meet the friendly crowd at Stirling.
There are two groups - a Junior Group (13 - 15 year olds) and a Senior Group (16 - 24 year olds) who are given a creative opportunity to learn the different aspects of performance and production. This year the groups are operating with their own management committees.
A great deal of credit should be given to the team leaders (Keren Schlink, Joshua Walker and Brendan Ellis) who run this unique, WA theatre training group; the passion of the trainers and directors shows in the acting of these enthusiastic youngsters.
‘A Dragon is Essential’ was written by James Forte, one of Nedland’s talented playwrights, who only took to writing in his later years. James has written several short plays and monologues for a hobby, but this is his first to reach the stage.
The director is talented theatre graduate, Matthew Randall.
In French Mediaeval style, a spot-lit troubadour (Gabe O’Sullivan) with dry humour and deliberately hammy poetry gives an outline of the story being presented.
Poor Lisbeth Bradshaw (Natalie Baggen) has yet another school assignment to finish, and with her father (Jonathan Young) breathing down her neck, she has to get help quickly. Perhaps Alex (Alex Hall), the handsome lad in her class may assist her, but can she talk him into helping?
This is a well written play, in which many youngsters will see themselves. The quirky narrator was an interesting addition, although I am not sure whether this genre of play was the correct vehicle. The cast completely understood the characterisation required and delivered their lines with conviction and emotion. Excellent team work.
‘The End of Our Youth’ is the first play written by 17 year-old Madeline Mowat to reach the stage. Madeline, who was born on the same date as playwrights Christopher Marlowe and Sir Henry Irving must inevitably be a talent to be watched.
The director is ECU undergraduate and talented actor, Madelaine Page.
University students, Sophie (Courtney Turner) and her best friend, Jess (Mariah O'Dea) are lounging around in their flat. They are discussing Sophie’s health problem and whether to tell her parents. Sophie’s quiet boyfriend, Harry (Luke Thornley) is her main support, and he in turn gets his advice from level-headed, Josh (Shaun Hontomin).
How will Sophie overcome her trouble?
The maturity of the writing and the sentiment expressed is very good. The dialogue for such a delicate subject demands advanced skills, Madeline didn’t quite get there, but there is strong promise.
Because the characters are well fleshed out, it actually left me wanting more. An idiosyncratic play that would blossom further from another twenty minutes, a nice change from the many student plays that have the audience desperately waiting for the end.
Again the cast captured the depth of the characters. The director, by using two different doors, one on each side of the stage, convincingly created two different locations without unnecessary scene changes. A good natural flow to the acting.
The lighting operator was Anka Čikić and the audio operator, Sarah McSweeney; first-class smooth teching.
At only $5 a ticket, a chance to see the up and coming teenage talent. Well done.