REVIEWER - GAIL SJOGREN

‘AN EVENING OF ACTING INTRIGUE’

Twisted Tales, the Ballarat National Theatre’s 2007 season of “Shorts”, provides a thoroughly entertaining bill of fare, with four different views of human nature and the quirks of human relationships.

The night opens with Plaster by Richard Harris, a very funny and clever comedy excellently realised by John Daykin, who manages to convey a remarkable range of reactions while bandaged from head to foot, and Peppa Sindar whose performance as his apparently sweet wife is as delightful as always. This is followed by Henna Night by Amy Rosenthal, a bitter sweet look at the relationship when Jack’s ex- and his current girlfriend meet. I found it a little long in the writing but convincingly acted by Roisin Stack and Katrina Hill.

After interval Faye Scetrine and Megan Ali could have stepped out of Coronation Street as they discuss The Perils of Education over a wartime afternoon tea table, again with plenty of laughs, and the evening concludes with another Richard Harris play, Albert. Amanda Sobey plays the Finnish au pair, Liam Mudge the Italian brother of her absent employer and Gordon Boyd the English suitor to the au pair’s predecessor. They attempt to communicate, though none speaks the language of the others which causes some hilarious misunderstandings and a totally unexpected conclusion.

The four plays are tightly directed by Julian Oldfield and cleverly make use of the same basic set, though quite different settings are created, thus ensuring quick and efficient changeovers by the crew. The cast clearly enjoy themselves, always an indication that the audience will share their enjoyment. And on a practical note given our cold nights, the evening concludes close to 10pm!