The Melbourne Writers’ Theatre was established 28 years ago by the well-known Australian playwright Jack Hibberd with the aim to assist Australian playwrights develop their scripts.
The first of the night’s two shows The Premiere written by Amel b. Kenza begins in darkness. We hear a male and female voice disscussiing the acquisitions of illegal arms and it is only when the lights come up we realize we are privy to the conversation of three inmates confined to a cell of a police station.
It becomes evident that Seb (Leon Durr) and Livia (Karla Silvey) are a couple ready to take on the world and their conversation is with an imprisoned activist, Matt (Fred Rowan).
They are all victims of society under the Democratic Dictatorship of Robert Fellows.
Robert Fellows (Bruce Langdon) an egotistic dictator (is there any other type) who lost control but went on to make a movie about his own failure.
This was a confusing, yet entertaining play thanks to many comic interjections and the sharp dialogue with which Kenza endowed her characters.
However, this play in its present form, suffers from too much in too little time and perhaps further development will allow audiences to fully appreciate the themes of fighting for a better world that Kenza intended.
The next play by Caroline Rowan presented a much lighter tone. We witnessed Benny Grubb(Chris Gaffney) a self-confessed Anne Bancroft fan, recently bereaved who took a fancy to his neighbour Grace Robinson – MS – not Mrs Robinson (Margaret Younger).
Benny – [those of you who may remember Dustin Hoffman’s character in The Graduate was Benjamin] – unlike Benjamin is doing all the seducing.
Ms Robinson – unlike Anne Bancroft is hardly a predator – but an ardent feminist – Germaine Greer relic from the 1970’s – until life’s hardships got in the way.
The two of them are an odd couple- Benny, working class but a nice-guy. It is interesting to consider his confidence to knock on Ms Robinson’s door to offer to help her unpack.
Ms Robinson is hardly a warm character on first presentation and appears an unlikely and intimidating choice for the garrulous Benny. It is only after Benny encourages her to open up and share her views and snippets of her family life one gets the impression she has not vocalised for many years that we begin to understand the complexity of her character.
But the strength in Rowans script which is an excellent vehicle for veteran actors is in the affection she allows us to feel towards these characters. It highlights the difficulties one has in their twilight years of making new relationships and resolving heartaches from previous relationships.
MelBorn reBorn 2010: Season 2
The Premiere and Ms Robinson
September 22nd – 3rd at La Mama Courthouse
*Season closed
Written by Amel B. Kenza
Directed by Bruce Langdon
Venue: Carlton Courthouse Theatre, 349 Drummond Street, Carlton, VIC
Bookings: Telephone: 03 9381 0222, or by email email@melbwriters.org.au
