Writer and performer Carla Kissane
A witty, if sometimes clumsy, mash-up of Shakespeare’s women, presented in all their fragility, madness and melodrama interspersed with hits from Eminem, Florence and the Machine, The Cranberries, Amy Winehouse, Miley Cyrus to name a few. Sound like a mess? Thankfully, generally, it is not.
Working from the observation that Shakespeare’s women inspire the same fascination as our hunger for celebrity scandal, writer/performer Carla Kissane uses Jaques’ famous “all the world’s a stage” speech to both illustrate the archetypes of each character and to structure the show as a whole. Kissane, (joined by Musical Director Andrew Patterson on piano and ‘special guest’ actor Don Bridges), slides from each speech/scene to a hit which corresponds with the nature of the scene or character. Think Moulin Rouge in iambic pentameter.
Some of these transitions work better than others – Cleopatra morosely singing a clever re-imagining of Winehouse’s Back to Black while the unseen Antony runs to Octavia works a treat, as does a King John mash-up of Shakespeare and The Cranberries’ Zombie. It is also a thrill to hear a different set of couplets work their way into opener, Love the Way You Lie.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t always work. A shortened and “paraphrased” (forgotten lines?) Measure for Measure ending with Angelo bursting back to sing Wrecking Ball with Isabelle is jarring and seems tacked on. In addition, while most of the comedy works, at other points the timing is off and lacking specific direction – as if most of the focus has gone so much into the music and Shakespeare, that the interludes seem under rehearsed, with Bridges particularly uncomfortable.
Carla Kissane, (looking amazing in Zoë Felice’s stunning monochrome costume design), makes full use of her powerful vocal range and makes each characterisation work with an especially effective (and moving) Ophelia. Andrew Patterson is dynamic and clearly enjoys delivering his witty interludes. Although he seems to struggle sometimes, Bridges provides ample support with roles ranging from Cleopatra’s delightfully abused messenger to a frightfully officious Angelo although seemed out of place as Brutus.
It is a great idea with some really fun moments, songs and the audience drew delight from the next surprising song or character, with the final closing number drawing a palpable silence. Overall, it’s a strong performance despite being rough around the edges. It’s certainly worth checking out at Melbourne’s fantastic Butterfly Club.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Whore and Weeping Women
Written and performed by Carla Kissane
Director: Andrew Blackman
Musically director: Andrew Patterson
Special Guest: Don Bridges
Costume: Zoë Felice
Photography: triggerpoint photography
Dates: 19-24 November 2014
Tuesday, Wednesday & Sunday 8.00pm, Thursday – Saturday 9.00pm
Venue: The Butterfly Club,
Carson Place (off Little Collins Street), Melbourne
Tickets: $18-$23 via seatadvisor
