Review: The Rat Trap; Polytoxic; Bille Brown Studio, Brisbane

The Rat Trap


First and foremost it is essential to suspend disbelief when you walk
through the doors into the space for this production! This show is a
little like a Salvador Dali painting meeting a novel written by Paulo
Coehlo and Gabriella Garcia Marquez; that probably should be taking
place in Montmarte in France. I think I was unexpectedly prepared by
watching Midnight in Paris this afternoon before attending!

The programme is a must read for having some idea for what is about to
transpire when you go to see this show. It is a beautiful melding of
traditional pacific islander / cabaret / circus and burlesque; that
without the programme makes absolutely no sense; which for the
audience is a strength (if you read the programme) or a weakess (if
you do not).

The story begins with half man half woman; JanUri (Fez Fa'anana) who
sets the scene of a seedy and divey tiki bar somewhere. We are then
introduced to the no longer conjoined Siamese Twins (Lisa Fa'alafi and
Leah Shelton); who are suffering "serious seperation issues"; thanks
programme you're a lifesaver!! We are led into a confusing but
alluring tale of debauchery with amazing circus feats stirred into it.

Natano Fa'anana plays the somewhat estranged father or the girls and
his grumpy busboy is a highlight of the show. It all makes sense when
you read that he is a "blackbird in hiding and the last of the now
defunct slave trade". This is what polytoxic does very well indeed;
the melding of the traditional into the modern. Referencing ancient
culture with quirky, lovely modern takes on traditional pacific
islander dance. These little asides were quite wonderful and it would
have been nice to see more of them!

If you want a good clean narrative I would not recommend this show.
If you want to be wowed by clever circus mixed into surreal magic
realism it's the show for you! The lighting is subtle and dingy;
beautifully suiting the story and I was impressed Andrew Meadows
managed to put an antique Paton 125 to good use lighting this show.
Another highight was the scene towards the end where we get to see the
riggers highlighted not as invisibles but as participants in the
magic; this breaking down of the fifth wall has long been an interest
of mine in theatre. Go see it; if only to have a night of it in South
Brisbane ; the Joynt down the road is bound to be pumping after and
you can really make a night of it!


3.5 stars.


Nim Jayawardhana for Artshub (artshub.com.au)

new REVIEW: House of Cards- Anywhere Theatre Festival - Turnstyle; Brisbane

rewrite

House of Cards at Turnstyle

It's an ambitious project with Mikhala Hawken it's creator saying it,
"will leave audience members reflecting on the paths they have led and
the people who have touched their lives." Astoundingly, it actually
does just this! The style of the venue, the lighting which is
evocative of makeshift share house lamps and even the books on shelves
take you into some rememberances both of the characters and yourself.
House of Cards is the debut performance of Synestheatre.

Mikey Bailey sets the scene by laying out the cards and this
deliberateness seems to reverberate with his character who seeks
constant control. The serious and sometimes dark aspects of this
character are a long way from his usual roles as a physical comic. He
rose to the challenge delightfully in this more dramatic role, which
was informed by his physicality.

We are then introduced to Mikhala Hawken and Benjamin Jacksons'
characters who interact in two parallel stories of an old man meeting
a young girl and a couple of lovers; both pairs meeting on a park
bench. The cards are used as a playful vehicle with the love story
represented as the Queen of Hearts. The third being (Bailey) keeps
trying to steal this card and a little of his circus background is
displayed in his clever and acrobatic thefts.

This piece is hypnotic and beautiful with the shadow play, film and
live elements working together almost seamlessly. The accurracy of
the choreography in the film to live transition was wonderful. It's
not so much a straight story as a journey through the feelings
elicited in relationships. Radiohead's music drives both the movement
and the narrative in delightful ways.

Mikhala Hawken and Benjamin Jackson move together fluidly with Bailey
menacing as a third presence. This piece of theatre and movement
really is a thrilling achievement as it draws the audience into their
own experiences, by allowing just the right amount of space in the
story to allow this. The movement really worked as did the use of
film which was almost as if it was live. One problem with this
vehicle was that the costumes did not match the characters on screen,
but it was not a major problem as the characters "walked onto the
screen" so cleverly; that gimmick really worked well!

Turnstyle is a non-profit, community run space; The Theatre Anywhere
Festival uses everywhere from city lanes to parks to showcase new
theatre. House of Cards was
performed in a space that looks like a rumpus room with old books
lining bookshelves along the back walls.

This challenge to what is normal from the venue, disarmed the audience
just enough to open their minds up to what was about to transpire on
the makeshift stage. And this non-linear, journey through
relationships is as much about the experiences the audience brings to
it as the performers.

Look out for the next piece by Synestheatre; it is bound to be a great
show too!



4 stars


Nim Jayawardhana for Artshub in Brisbane

REVIEW: House of Cards- Anywhere Theatre Festival - Turnstyle; Brisbane

alas I am now seeing a show or working every night next week so cannot
even see EVE ! :(


here is the review for House of Cards; you may prefer that the
description of Turnstyle is a part of an endnote perhaps.


House of Cards at Turnstyle

Turnstyle is a non-profit, community run space at 10 and 12 Laura
Street Highgate Hill. The Theatre Anywhere Festival uses everywhere
from city lanes to parks to showcase new theatre. House of Cards was
performed in a space that looks like a rumpus room with old books
lining bookshelves along the back walls. Behind the audience, who are
seated on couches, beanbags and a hodge potch of chairs is the quaint
garden and a maelstrom of bike frames and parts.

It's a fascinating place and it's good to be invited into such a place
with such a variety of activities going on during the week for this
sort of performance. One feels they are leaving the mainstream world
and entering into some sort of modern utopia. Is it an example of how
things could be if more people worked together with common community
goals.

This challenge to what is normal from the venue, disarmed the audience
just enough to open their minds up to what was about to transpire on
the makeshift stage. And this non-linear, journey through
relationships is as much about the experiences the audience brings to
it as the performers.

It's an ambitious project with Mikhala Hawken it's creator saying it,
"will leave audience members reflecting on the paths they have led and
the people who have touched their lives." Astoundingly, it actually
does just this! The style of the venue, the lighting which is
evocative of makeshift share house lamps and even the books on shelves
take you into some rememberances both of the characters and yourself.
House of Cards is the debut performance of Synestheatre.

Mikey Bailey sets the scene by laying out the cards and this
deliberateness seems to reverberate with his character who seeks
constant control. The serious and sometimes dark aspects of this
character are a long way from his usual roles as a physical comic. He
rose to the challenge delightfully in this more dramatic role, which
was informed by his physicality.


This piece is hypnotic and beautiful with the shadow play, film and
live elements working together almost seamlessly. The accurracy of
the choreography in the film to live transition was wonderful.

Mikhala Hawken and Benjamin Jackson move together fluidly with Bailey
menacing as a third presence. This piece of theatre and movement
really is a thrilling achievement as it draws the audience into their
own experiences, by allowing just the right amount of space in the
story to allow this.

Look out for the next piece by Synestheatre; it is bound to be a great
show too!






Nim Jayawardhana for Artshub in Brisbane

Review; The Darkness, Australian Tour opener: Brisbane 4 May

The Darkness began their Australian tour tonight and they did not disappoint!

The Eaton's Hill Hotel in Brisbane's North was the venue and it's a
well built little venue that will have INXS in June and has hosted
Marylin Manson and other world class acts. I have been trying to get
out to this venue for quite a while and it was well worth the trip.

I must first admit that I knew nothing about this band and was
certainly not a fan before attending tonight. Afterwards, I am
wondering why I've been living under a rock as this band quite simply
rocks out! The solid start to their tour bodes very well for the rest
of the country and as I looked around me I saw hundreds of grinning,
happy faces!

Justin Hawkins screaming vocals for me brought back memories of Bon
Scott from AC/DC and Axel Rose from Guns and Roses; but in truth he
makes his own statement. As a front man he is tirelessl jumping all
over the stage and at one point doing a handstand for a good minute or
so. I can't understand how a man can sing after doing that. The
only act I have seen that impressed me more with music and physicality
would be Shenzo's Stunt Orchestra out of Brisbane, but that's a
completely different genre. The Darkness is Glam Rock returning for
the Y Generation (and the oldies too)! :)

This band works very well together, though I was a little disappointed
to not see the drummer lit very well as he was a powerful driving
force to their sound. Perhaps he likes the darkness. ;) The lighting
otherwise was great and the overall mood and feel of the show was
reminiscent of great bands of the 80s and 90s. I was impressed that
Justin managed so many costume changes in the steamy room The Darkness
performed in.

The Eatons Hill Hotel gets 4 stars. The Darkness 4.5

Nim Jayawardhana for Artshub