The Commedia
Date: December 2002
Category: Performances
I walked into another world the other day. What had been a portion of the garden of the Wollombi tavern was now an altered state of weird and wonderful scenery and strange looking people (even stranger looking than the usual tavern crowd).
I had entered the realm of "Commedia del' arte", Valley Artists' summer production. I had entered Wayne's World.
I might be labelled as being biased, but it was Bert Burless's Art Direction that first struck me as being special about this production. The audience entered this surreal world via a backdrop of a pseudo-piazza, complete with food and beverage outlets. In this setting, the children actors enthralled the audience as they performed their street theatre of mimes with confidence and real skill. Superb jobs.
Well done Alex Tyrani, Georgia Tester, Rose Jackson, Toby Woodward, Hooly Woodward, Shiobhan Bateman, Olivia Dice, Holly Weekes, Anna Ringma, Bella Weekes and Anais.
The play proper, performed within a huge marquee set against fabulous scenery painted by Mandy Davies, Sally Anderson, Juliette Weekes and Fiona Bateman, was both funny and fun. Tim Williams narrated the play - ad-libbing wittily as necessary, but he also effortlessly swapped characters to become a daffy Brighella and an almost sacrilegious Joseph along side Emma Pogonoski's Mary. Neville Newman, as Pantalone, at last realised his dream of being under the lights rather than being behind them. His acting was fine, but I found that my eyes kept wandering towards his dangling money pouch and his large key. It must have been at least 8 inches long! Tegan Howell-Newman displayed wonderful comic timing and an extremely lithe body as Arlecino. Ross Fletcher brought the house (calls) down with his performance as the doctor, Dottore. He is just made for this role. Simon Goudie buffooned beautifully as real estate agent Tatalia (watch out McCosker and Brown). Briony Allen gave a suitably depressing Punchinella, who gets her own back in the end. Giloo Faugere packed a certain je ne sais pas (into the trousers at least) of his El Capitano. The lovers Pierrot and Columbine, played by Tim Goudie and Alice Jackson, were absolutely delightful. These young actors have so much to offer this valley and beyond.
All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable production, enhanced by Gilli Moon's musical accompaniment, which was very faithful to the tradition of commedia del' arte. I do have some reservations, but you don't want to read them, do you?
- Fifi La Boom