REVIEWER - GAIL SJOGREN

‘AN EVENING OF ACTING INTRIGUE’

TELLING TALES is subtitled "An evening of subterfuge and intrigue". It is also an evening of unexpected variety and most unusual theatrical experience. The night opens with a traditional one-act play unusually titled In by the Half.

The main character, an elderly actress who refuses to accept retirement gracefully, is played with treat aplomb and touching bravado by Gabrielle Leeds, strongly supported by Lynne Birkelund as her ex-dresser, Peppa Sindar as her daughter, Katrina Hill and Brendon Clarke.

I laughed aloud, but then found myself moved by the human drama as the story unfolded. A realistic set reassures the audience, but the second half of the program brings a bare stage and surprises galore as it moves into pieces which owe much to the "theatre of the absurd". Dead Frank is written and performed by local actor Jez Constable, ably supported by Alisha Ryan, Mary-Rose McClaren and Wil Greenway.

This is truly different, a weird, strange and utterly absorbing piece which gives the actors the opportunity to show their skills, an opportunity they fully embrace. Jez reappears in Last to go by Harold Pinter, with director Julian Oldfield, who follows up with Wil Greenway in lt's not an Asp by Peter Cook. These two pieces are different, highly entertaining and superbly acted.

Three at a Table for Two won second place at last year's South Street One-Act Plays and won its two performers the best actress award. It is easy to see why, as Lesley Hale and Katrina Hill give outstanding performances in three very different situations.

I found myself at home by 10pm still shaking my head at what I had seen, and still chuckling as I reviewed the night's entertainment. If variety appeals, this is a night for you.