Category Archives: CITadelaide

Belt Up Theatre’s The Boy James.

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The Boy James, thoughts by Jane Durbridge

We start this adventure on the Ground Floor of AC Arts where (most of us) are ushered into an small, rickety, airless lift (or maybe it wasn’t like that..my claustrophobic self took the stairs up 3 flights).

We’re then invited into the pajama clad Lewis/Charles world…..a lavish comfortable living room – a welcome change from dodgy fringe seats.

It’s all feeling very comfortable, (apart from having to die loudly in a double homicide & then needing to blow a raspberry on a complete stranger), but when we finish our audience games we open our eyes to the arrival of James – angry, hurt and frustrated as he tries to pack up and leave Charles.

We’re beginning to understand James frustration when The Girl arrives – frail and pale and seemingly representing innocence. We’re lulled into a false sense of security with her character, she’s all sweetness in a white nightgown, but she’s on a path of destruction.

The naive Charles is initially confronted by her immorality, and then accosted by her brutality…and then she leaves as mysteriously as she appeared.

This brutality shakes the audience up – we’re taken from a quaint quirky place to one a little more uncomfortable. James reenters the story, and unaware of what has just occurred is now able to physically escape. He explains why he must leave in a letter (but as Charles can’t read this is left to an audience member).

In shock and unable to communicate, Charles is left in a comatose fetal position, wrapped about a table leg.

It’s in this conclusion that we’re invited to leave the Tiny Room. We file out quietly with the characters always in their roles, never acknowledging the work of the actors.

I’m not sure if the people we saw in that room were real or imaginary characters in the Lewis/Charles world…perhaps they were a bit of both…and this enabled the play to push a range of feelings around the room and, even when we didn’t like what was happening, keep us enthralled.

Tiny Lounge, Adelaide College of the Arts (AC Arts, TAFE), 39 Light Square, Adelaide to 18th March 2012

http://www.citadelaide.com/theboyjames.html

Misery

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Misery

Seeing a familiar story on stage is always an interesting time. I was a mad Stephen King fan in my teens, and was curious to see how the classic horror tale of a stranded author and his sociopathic ‘number one fan’ would translate to the stage.

I’m pleased to say, very well indeed. Being essentially a two hander, (any extraneous characters were either cut out or only referred to fleetingly), the play is able to emphasise the claustrophobic nature of the situation. The play was very tense, with Annie’s disturbing behaviour first eliciting nervous giggles from the audience, then uncomfortable shifting in seats as the extent of her insanity was realised.

Joanne Hartstone was superb as Annie, never letting the character become too over the top or outlandish. John Maurice as writer Paul Sheldon was also excellent. I particularly enjoyed the elements of arrogance he brought to the character. Having seen both actors perform in Oleanna and That Face respectively, it was eye opening to see them in such different roles.

I highly recommend going to see Misery – although perhaps not if you’re squeamish!

Eds note – another of the brilliant offerings from CITAdelaide. 

Imperial Fizz

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You may find yourself feeling vaguely unsure about what’s going on in Imperial Fizz. Never fear, sit tight and all will be revealed. This is absurdist tragicomedy the likes that I have not seen before.  The charismatic David Calvitto and beautifully expressive Beth Fitzgerald both delivered brilliantly energetic performances. I was amazed at the amount of lines that these two had to remember! Costumes were perfect and the stage design and props, although minimal, were spot on. I took my mother, a long time theatre critic along (she’s been involved in theatre in performance, backstage and front of house since she was a small child). She loved it. I loved it. We sat together, we watched together and most importantly we laughed together.

If I say any more I’ll spoil the performance for you. If there’s anything that you take away from this performance, I hope it will be one of these tremendous one liners:

The woman: They accused you of running from responsibility
The man: I needed the exercise!

The man: I suggest that you drove her to her grave
The woman: No dear, the hearse did

The Imperial Fizz season runs right through until Sunday the 18th of March at Higher Ground and forms part of the CITAdelaide offerings.

Spitfire Solo

Posted on by Katie
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Nicholas Collett

Photo from www.nicholascollett.com

Nicholas Collett’s solo performance in CIT Adelaide’s Spitfire Solo is extraordinarily accurate in history, idiom and language. Collett plays Peter Walker, an ex-Battle of Britain pilot in a convincing 65 minutes where we are taken on a journey through Walker’s life as a RAF fighter and a man in love.

I walked in uncertain as to whether or not I was going to enjoy the performance and I walked out wishing that it hadn’t ended. Like a book that you randomly select at the library, knowing nothing about it and put down when it’s finished, feeling connected to the characters and sad that you can only imagine what happens next.

Nicholas’ ability to portray so many different characters was incredible and so believable. How does one man switch so easily between the persona of an elderly Northern English man in his and  a young Australian girl? Collett, your magic worked on me and I’m dead keen to see more of your work.

For those that are able bodied, the venue – Art Base at Higher Ground is easily accessible. If you’re a little unsteady on your feet, take note that the venue is downstairs and proceed with caution. If you’re not certain that you’ll be able to make it down the stairs, then I recommend that you take a helping hand or two with you.

If you fought in the RAF or had a relative who did, or if you just have a penchant for WWII history then don’t miss this performance.

Scaramouche Jones

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Written by Jane Durbridge

The CIT crew never failed to provide quality theatre during the 2010 Fringe, and Scaramouche Jones sets the standard of excellence again this year.

Justin Butcher by Bill Versteegh

Justin Butcher is brilliant as Scaramouche takes us through his (& the worlds) 20th century journey from Trinidad to Africa, Italy and Poland until he finally reaches his longed for destination…England.

His storytelling is fascinating, and with just a few props we live his 100 years of poverty and servitude with plenty of wry humour and physicality.

Each story is another layer of white upon his already pale skin, but it’s not until he realises his ability to distract children in their moments before death at Auschwitz that his life as a clown is cemented.

The white cobra is a perfect metaphor for the play- mesmerising the crowd that pays for his livelihood like the audience is mesmerised by the performance of Scaramouche.

It’s an enchanting story so very worth seeing – even with a slight fear of clowns!

Eds – We’re very grateful that Jane was willing to confront her fear of clowns to see Scaramouche Jones. As usual CITAdelaide have brought a wealth of amazing shows to this year’s fringe. See the offerings on their webiste. http://www.citadelaide.com/