Between the Waves
Wed, 17 Oct 2012, 04:55 pmGordon the Optom1 post in thread
Between the Waves
Wed, 17 Oct 2012, 04:55 pm‘Between Two Waves’ is a gripping story written by young WA playwright and actor, Ian Meadows. Ian started his theatre training at Curtin University before moving to WAAPA. He has since won numerous awards for his writing, including two AFI nominations. At present he is adapting a segment of Tim Winton’s stage play, ‘The Turning’.
This 90-minute – no interval – World Premiere has been developed with, and presented by, the Griffin Theatre Company. This captivating story is being performed at the 107-seat Griffin Theatre (Stables Theatre complex), 13 Craigend Street, on the junction of Darlinghurst and Kings Cross in Sydney. All performances are nightly at 7.00, and run until the 17th November.
The stage is a white oblong, 5 by 4 metres with a plain white ceiling about 6 feet above the stage. There is a single 100-watt globe hanging from a short cable in the centre. There is no scenery or props, but some very clever lighting to bring the stage alive.
The comfortable bench seating is on two steeply tiered, adjacent sides.
Metrological research scientist, Daniel (Ian Meadows) stands alone in the centre of the stage. He nervously recalls events in his dismal life; things are certainly not as good as they should be.
On the way home from work one night, in a dark alley, he meets a gaudy and bubbly blonde, Fiona (Ash Ricardo). She asks for a match to light her cigarette, a conversation develops and in between showers, the two happily stand there enjoying each other’s company. Fiona drops a few hints that she would like to see Daniel again, but with his shyness and awkwardness, he rushes off.
Daniel gets home and tells his best friend Jimmy (Chum Ehelepola) about this beauty that he has deserted. Jimmy goes mad and says that for years he has been trying to get Daniel a date and that he must accept next time. Daniel is in the middle of his research project and has very little private time, but Jimmy is not daunted and drags Daniel out for the night.
By chance, Daniel meets Fiona in a governmental office and a friendship develops.
Sometime later, there is a massive storm and an insurance claim assessor is called to Daniel’s house. This slim attractive evaluator, Grenelle (Rachel Gordon) travels miles through flooded roads to reach Daniel’s property. Some precious research equipment has been damaged, but the hard businesswoman is unmoved by any of Daniel’s pleas as to the actual value of the damage. She simply wants to finish the assessment and get home to her family.
Just when things are starting to look good for Daniel, his entire world collapses around him. Will anyone be able to help?
Initially this play looked simple and the outcome obvious; however, the shocking and dramatic ending caught the whole audience by surprise. I will not spoil the ending, but designer David Fleischer, lighting designer Matthew Marshall and audio-visual artist Steve Toulmin gave us something special. The whole play was enhanced by Steve Francis’ music and sound design.
The script was brilliantly written, the cast carried off their very different personalities perfectly. The director (Sam Strong, assisted by Mackenzie Steele) set a pace that was breathtaking as the roller coaster ride of the helpless hero unfolded. There was love, anger, fear and optimism all cleverly blended.
A most enjoyable play, beautifully presented.
‘Between Two Waves’ is a gripping story written by young WA playwright and actor, Ian Meadows. Ian started his theatre training at Curtin University before moving to WAAPA. He has since won numerous awards for his writing, including two AFI nominations. At present he is adapting a segment of Tim Winton’s stage play, ‘The Turning’.
This 90-minute – no interval – World Premiere has been developed with, and presented by, the Griffin Theatre Company. This captivating story is being performed at the 107-seat Griffin Theatre (Stables Theatre complex), 13 Craigend Street, on the junction of Darlinghurst and Kings Cross in Sydney. All performances are nightly at 7.00, and run until the 17th November.
The stage is a white oblong, 5 by 4 metres with a plain white ceiling about 6 feet above the stage. There is a single 100-watt globe hanging from a short cable in the centre. There is no scenery or props, but some very clever lighting to bring the stage alive.
The comfortable bench seating is on two steeply tiered, adjacent sides.
Metrological research scientist, Daniel (Ian Meadows) stands alone in the centre of the stage. He nervously recalls events in his dismal life; things are certainly not as good as they should be.
On the way home from work one night, in a dark alley, he meets a gaudy and bubbly blonde, Fiona (Ash Ricardo). She asks for a match to light her cigarette, a conversation develops and in between showers, the two happily stand there enjoying each other’s company. Fiona drops a few hints that she would like to see Daniel again, but with his shyness and awkwardness, he rushes off.
Daniel gets home and tells his best friend Jimmy (Chum Ehelepola) about this beauty that he has deserted. Jimmy goes mad and says that for years he has been trying to get Daniel a date and that he must accept next time. Daniel is in the middle of his research project and has very little private time, but Jimmy is not daunted and drags Daniel out for the night.
By chance, Daniel meets Fiona in a governmental office and a friendship develops.
Sometime later, there is a massive storm and an insurance claim assessor is called to Daniel’s house. This slim attractive evaluator, Grenelle (Rachel Gordon) travels miles through flooded roads to reach Daniel’s property. Some precious research equipment has been damaged, but the hard businesswoman is unmoved by any of Daniel’s pleas as to the actual value of the damage. She simply wants to finish the assessment and get home to her family.
Just when things are starting to look good for Daniel, his entire world collapses around him. Will anyone be able to help?
Initially this play looked simple and the outcome obvious; however, the shocking and dramatic ending caught the whole audience by surprise. I will not spoil the ending, but designer David Fleischer, lighting designer Matthew Marshall and audio-visual artist Steve Toulmin gave us something special. The whole play was enhanced by Steve Francis’ music and sound design.
The script was brilliantly written, the cast carried off their very different personalities perfectly. The director (Sam Strong, assisted by Mackenzie Steele) set a pace that was breathtaking as the roller coaster ride of the helpless hero unfolded. There was love, anger, fear and optimism all cleverly blended.
A most enjoyable play, beautifully presented.