www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 12, 2014 - Page 47
Observer Showbiz
Local Theatre With Cheryl Threadgold
‘Dreamers’ at 45 downstairs Review
● Helen Morse (Anne) and Brigid Gallacher (her daughter, Carole) in Dreamers at fortyfivedownstairs. Photo: Jeff Busby ■ Writer Daniel Keene and director Ariette Taylor’s latest collaborative work, Dreamers, can be enjoyed at fortyfivedownstairs until November 30. Keene aptly describes his contemporary play as dealing with the struggle against intolerance. Widowed grandmother Anne’s (Helen Morse) relationship with young Muslim refugee Majid (Yomal Rajasinghe) attracts ugly, bigoted community condemnation. However, positive messages of love, strength, cultural adaptability and ability to move on in life regardless of age, reassuringly shine through racist, ageist and social isolation issues and the couple’s realistic self-questioning. Juxtaposing Anne’s flexibility to move on is Keene’s observational recognition of the difficulty for some to let go of the past, cleverly symbolised by a pianola. Enjoying fun sing-alongs of old-time tunes are characters unable to change attitudes and beliefs from past to present. There’s the Ticket Inspector (Paul English), Eva (Natasha Herbert), Waiter (Jonathan Taylor), Claude (Nicholas Bell) and Foreman (Marco Chiappi). An exception is Anne’sdaughter Carole (Brigid Gallacher) and the touching, naturalistic scenes between mother and adult daughter with accompanying emotional dynamics will resonate with many audience members. Yomal Rajasinghe is perfectly cast as Majid, capturing well his humble, gentle tolerance of others, delightful charisma and willingness to culturally adapt. Helen Morse’s standout portrayal of Anne is a must-see for theatre-lovers. Morse’s petite and beautiful, delicate appearance belies her incredible performance strength and powerful, yet under-stated delivery. Ariette Taylor’s expert direction ensures a smooth-flowing, entertaining show, complimented by Adrienne Chisholm’s innovative set design and sound by Sam Bolton. The use of city sounds and Anne’s sewing machine noise were particularly effective … but I found the well-choreographed wheelie-bin routine intrusively distracting from the narrative. Mindful of purpose in textual layers and staging of this Keene/Taylor collaboration, I was sorry not to comprehend reason for this segment, or for the play’s sudden ending. Dreamers is a great show for thinking audiences, and for promoting Australian theatre talents in the wonderful, atmospheric independent theatre space of fortyfivedownstairs. Performance Season: Until November 30 Times: Tues – Sat 8.00pm, Sun 4.00pm Venue: fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Tickets: $45 Full, $42,50 Seniors, Concession $35 Bookings: 9662 9966 or fortyfivedownstairs.com
SHOWS ■ Frankston Theatre Group: Whose Wives Are They Anyway? (by Michael Parker) November 21 - December 7 at the Mount Eliza Community Centre, Canadian Bay Rd., Mount Eliza. Director: Ray Reid. Bookings: 1300 665 377 or www.frankstontheatregroup.org.au ■ Cathouse Players Inc: Atlantic Crossing November 21 - 29 at the Masonic Hall, 7 - 9 Yaldwyn St., Kyneton. Director: Betty Sartore. Tickets: $25/$20. Bookings: 0448 371 623 www.cathouseplayers.com.au ■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Kitchen Sink (by Tom Wells) November 20 - December 6 at 2 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Lois Collinder. Tickets: $25/$22. Bookings: 9885 9678. ■ Geelong Repertory Theatre Company: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield) November 21 - December 6 at the Woodbin Theatre, 16 Coronation St., West Geelong. Tickets: $25. Bookings: 5225 1200 www.geelongrep.com
Melbourne
Observer THE 39 STEPS
SHOWS ■ Fortyfivedownstairs: Dreamers (by Daniel Keene) Until November 30 at fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. Director:Ariette Taylor. Tickets: $45/$42.50/$35. Bookings: 9662 9966 or fortyfivedownstairs.com ■ Malvern Theatre Company: Dracula (adapted by William McNulty) until November 15 at 29 Burke Rd., East Malvern. Director: Nicholas Opalski. Tickets: $20 (no concession). Bookings: 1300 131 552 or www.malverntheatre.com.au ■ Mooroolbark Theatre Company: But Why Bump off Barnaby? Until November 15 at the Mooroolbark Community Centre, 125 BriceAve., Mooroolbark. Director: Arline Myers. Tickets: $16/$14. Bookings: 9726 4282. ■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: Fawlty Towers Until November 22 at 39-41 Castella St., Lilydale. Director; Kevin Trask. Tickets: $25/$23. Bookings: www.lilydaleatc.com ■ SLAMS: Once Upon a Mattress November 14, 15 at 8.00pm and November 15 at 2.00pm at Knox Community Arts Centre, Cnr. Scoresby Rd. and Mountain Highway, Bayswater. Co-Directors: Miranda Guthrie-Jones and Michelle Sayers; Musical Director: Ben Franklin; Choreographer: Miranda Guthrie-Jones. Tickets: $32/$28/$15. Bookings: www.trybooking.com/91622 or call 9720 3205. ■ Sunshine Community Theatre: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory November 15, 16at 3.00pm at 82 Phoenix St., North Sunshine. Director: Gemma Francis. All tickets $15. Children under 6 free. Enquiries: 0407 802 165. Bookings: http:// www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary. aspx?eid=108028 ■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Bullshot Crummond (by Ron House, Diz White, Alan Shearman, John Neville-Andrew and Derek Cunningham) Until November 22 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Director: Jeff Saliba. Bookings:9587 5141 ■ Sherbrooke Theatre Company: Stepping Out (by Richard Harris) November 14 - 29 at the Doncaster Playhouse, 679 Doncaster Rd., Doncaster. Director: Loretta Bishop. Tickets: $25/ $23. Bookings: 1300 650 209 www.sherbrooketc.org.au ■ The Basin Theatre Group: My Three Angels Until November 29 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: Susan Carty. Tickets: $25 incl. program, parking, refreshments. Bookings: 1300 784 668 www.thebasintheqatre.org.au ■ Torquay Theatre Troupe: Cosi (by Louis Nowra) Until November 22 at 16 Price St., Torquay. Director: Michael Baker.Tickets: $20/$17. Bookings: 5261 3335 ■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): And This Was Odd (by Kenneth Horne) November 13 - 23 (2.00pm matinees on November 16, 23) at the Strathmore Community Theatre, Corner Loeman and Napier Sts., Strathmore. Director: Mel de Bono. Tickets: $20/$15. Bookings: 9382 6284.or www.trybooking.com/FAZZ ■ Eltham Little Theatre: Murdered to Death (by Peter Gordon) November 13 - 29 at 8.00pm at the Eltham PerformingArts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Research. Director: Carol Owen. Cabaret style. BYO food and drinks. Tickets: $22.50 (no concession). Bookings: www.elthamlittletheatre.org.au or phone 0411 713 095. ■ Brighton Theatre Company: Bloody Murder (by Ed Sala) November 13 - 29 at Brighton Theatre, Cnr. Carpenter and Wilson Sts., Brighton. Director: Andrew McMillan. Bookings: 1300 752 126 or www.brightontheatreco.com.au ■ Peridot Theatre: Key for Two (by John Chapman and Dave Freeman) November 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28 29 at 8.00pm and November 16, 22 at 2.15pm and November 23 at 4.00pm at the Unicorn Theatre, Lechte Rd., Mt Waverley. Director: Bob Bramble. Tickets: $25/$22. Bookings: www.peridot.com.au ■ Gemco Players: Maskerade (by Terry Pratchett, adapted by Stephen Briggs) November 14 - 29 at 8.00pm, Sundays at 3.00pm at The Gem Theatre, 19 Kilvington Drive, Emerald. Enquiries: 0411 343 618. Bookings: http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/ BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=100751&hs=www.gemcoplayers.org ■ Beaumaris Theatre: The 39 Steps (by John Buchan and Alfred Hitchcock, adapted by Patrick Barlow from an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon. November 14, 15, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 at 8.00pm and November 23 at 5.00pm at 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Director; Neil Barnett. Tickets: $25/$22. Cabaret seating. BYO nibblies and drinks. Enquiries: 9583 6896. Bookings: www.beaumaristheatre.com.au ■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: True Minds November 20 December 6 at 36 Turnham Avenue, Rosanna. Director; Natasha Boyd. Tickets: $25/$22. Bookings: htc.org.au or 9457 4117. ■ The 1812 Theatre: Over the River and Through the Woods (by Joe Dipietro) November 20 - December 13 at 3-5 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Dexter Bourke. Tickets: $27 Bookings: 9758 3964 www.1812theatre.com
● Beaumaris Theatre presents John Buchan and Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps from November 14-29 at 82 Wells Road, Beaumaris. ■ Adapted by Patrick Barlow from an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon and directed by Neil Barnett, Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller The 39 Steps has been hilariously recreated into a smash-hit comedy in this very funny melodrama. Richard Hannay becomes embroiled in a convoluted and riotously funny spy-plot, with all the classic Hitchcock features including trench-coat wearing heavies, double-crossing narratives, mysteriously beautiful women, chase scenes, gunfire, planes, trains and intrigue a-plenty. The show is being presented cabaret style. BYO nibbles and drinks. Performances: November 14, 15, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 at 8pm and November 23 at 5pm in cabaret style Venue: Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris Tickets: $25/$22 Enquiries: 9583 6896 Bookings: www.beaumaristheatre.com.au
AUDITIONS ■ Catchment Players: Hairspray Jr., November auditions. For further details visit www.catchmentplayers.org.au ■ Aspect Theatre: The Wedding Singer November 11, 12 from 7.30pm-10.00pm at the Aspendale Gardens Community Centre, 103-105 Kearney Drive, Aspendale Gardens. Director/Choreographer: Leah Osburn; Musical Director: Malcom Huddle. Audition bookings: info@aspecttheatre.com.au ■ Babirra Musical Theatre: The King and I Adult auditions: November 16, 1pm-6pm, Dance Audition: November 16 from 8pm, Call backs November 17. at Highfield Rd. Uniting Church, Highfield Rd., Canterbury. Director: Alan Burrows; Musical Director: Ben Hudson; Choreographer: Di Crough. Audition bookings: auditions@babirra.org.au or 9882 0630. ■ Sherbrooke Theatre Company: Driving Miss Daisy November 15 at 1.30pm at the Sherbrooke Shed, Factory 4, 22 Jesmond Rd., Croydon. Director: Horrie Leek. Audition bookings: 0412 474 255. ■ Beaumaris Theatre: The Little Mermaid November 15 and 16 at Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Director: Debbie Keyt; Musical Director: Rhonda Vaughan; Choreographer: Camilla Klesman. Audition bookings: 0401 450979 ■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): Gross Indecency (by Moises Kaufmann) November 16, 17 from 7pm10pm at the Strathmore Community Theatre, Cnr. Loeman and Napier Sts., Strathmore. Director: Roderick Chappel. Audition bookings: roderickchappel@ozemail.com.au ■ Eltham Little Theatre: It's My Party (and I'll Die If I Want To) (by Elizabeth Coleman) November 16 from 2pm; November 17 from 7pm at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, Rehearsal Room, 1603 Main Rd., Research. Director: Laura Bradley. Audition bookings: 0414 849 028. ■ MLOC Productions: Spamalot Information Evening Thursday, November 20 at 8pm at the Parkdale Church of Christ hall, 174 Como Pde., Parkdale. Auditions November 25, 27, 29. Director: Jane Court; Musical Director: Ian Nisbet; Choreographer: Keir Jasper. Enquiries: 9589 4912 www.mloc.org.au ■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: When Dad Married Fury (by David Williamson) November 23 6pm - 9pm, November 24 7pm-9pm at 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Maureen McInerney. Audition bookings: 0409 655 603 or email maureen@costumefactory.com.au