Nicole Wineberg and Lucy Miller. Image by Katy Green Loughrey.
Questioning the extent to which government funding should influence the art produced, the central themes of Scenes From An Execution are as relevant today as when the play was first released more than two decades ago. Newly formed theatre company Tooth and Sinew have put together an accomplished ensemble to provide Howard Barker’s most famous play with an overdue return to the Sydney stage.
Set in the 16th century, the central character in Scenes From an Execution is Anna Galactia, a female artist who is commissioned by the Doge (ruler of the Republic of Venice) to create a 100-feet-long painting depicting the Venetians bloody triumph over the Ottomans in the recent Battle of Lepanto.
To fully understand her task, Galactia sets up her studio in an old barracks and meets with several soldiers, including Prodo, a man who was rendered a human ‘freak show’ by injuries he sustained in battle. The art work she creates is such a horrific mirror of the bloodshed and chaos of battle that it evokes responses of anguish and terror in former warriors who look upon it. On seeing the work, the Doge and his brother are horrified, and, influenced by the staid cardinal Ostensible, vow to punish Galactia. The painting is to be re-done by another artist and it looks as if Galactia’s fate has been sealed, until a famous critic intervenes…
Galactia is one of the strongest female roles in theatre and it’s fitting that she should be played by the talented Lucy Miller, whose performance was excellent. Nicole Wineberg also displays some hilarious character traits as her long-suffering daughter, Supporta, while Katherine Shearer switches effortlessly between the roles of Dementia and Rivera. The difference in peculiarities between the vain Doge (Mark Lee) and his vain, rather one-dimensional admiral brother (Brendan Miles) are well illustrated, while Lynden Jones is perfect for the role of Ostensible. In keeping with the era depicted, Jeremy Waters’ Carpeta is part sombre servant and artist who paints multiple images of Christ, part lover and the recipient of Galactia’s affections.
Sound (Nate Edmondson) and lighting (Ben Brockman) are appropriate in mood-setting, as is the set design of Andrea Espinoza. Special mention must go to the decadent and evocative period costumes, designed by Christie Bennett.
This is a play with few faults. There are moments when the theatre space in the Old Fitzroy feels almost too small for the subject, particularly during a scene with several drunken, agitated men from the barracks. Overall, however, Richard Hilliar has managed to create an immersive experience which makes best use of this intimate space and is a powerful piece of theatre.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Scenes From An Execution
Presented by Tooth and Sinew
By Howard Barker
Directed by Richard Hilliar
Set Designer: Andrea Espinoza
Lighting Designer: Ben Brockman
Costume Designer: Christie Bennett
Sound Designer: Nate Edmondson
Cast: Lynden Jones, Mark Lee, Peter Maple, Brendan Miles, Lucy Miller, Katherine Shearer, Jeremy Waters, Nicole Wineberg
Old Fitzroy Theatre,Dowling St, Woolloomooloo
www.sitco.net.au
13 – 31 May
