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Boston Marriage
Presented by: Hoy Polloy
Venue:
Mechanics Institute
Performing Arts Centre,
Brunswick
Reviewer: Angela Ellis
Date Reviewed: 21st September
I
looked forward to seeing Hoy Polloy’s production of Boston Marriage.
Not only because it was a theatre company that I had not had the
opportunity of seeing in production before, but also the Victorian
premiere of the play.
A
Boston Marriage we are told, was an accepted practice for women in
the nineteenth century who were unmarried and in a romantic
friendship to live together. This play shows us all the emotions,
hypocrisies and conflicts that the alternative to a “traditional”
marriage could offer women of a certain social standing in the era.
The
stage setup is small but Wayne Pearn has done a marvellous job in
bringing Boston Marriage to the stage and making it larger than
life. As soon as our first two characters walk on to the stage this
tiny lounge room became quite large and other rooms in the house
could all of a sudden be imagined. The hard work that Wayne, as a
director, has put in is obvious from the go and should be highly
congratulated.
Wayne
has also put together a highly capable production team with lighting
and sound (aptly handled by Stelios Karagiannis and Chris Milne)
kept to a minium and not overshadowing any part of the play that
does not require it. Set design by Paul King and set decor also by
Paul King and Wendy Drowley was also handled extremely well.
The
costumes by Wendy Drowley, captured the era effortlessly. From the
poor maid’s drab brown and white uniform to the more over-the-top
blues and silvers of her employers, the costumes were beautifully
put together and allowed the actors to wear them as though this is
the style of the modern day and they had never worn anything more
natural. Well done.
The
cast of three women worked beautifully together. The play called for
quick pace, outstanding comic timing and a through understanding of
the script, a feat that was handled with great professionalism.
Helen
Hopkins, Corinne Davies and Elenor Wilson cannot be reviewed
separately because in my opinion there is not one without the other
and all three showed how capable actresses they are. The quick
natural flow of the script was beautifully handled. The snappy
reportie was fun to listen too and even at times to try and
understand. The piece had a rhythm all of its own and it was great
fun to watch. All three owned the stage whenever they were on it.
Hoy
Polloy’s production of Boston Marriage performing at the Mechanics
Institute Performing Arts Centre in
Brunswick
deserves full houses every night. Congratulations.
Angela Ellis
has worked in the industry both professionally and non
professionally for 15 years. In this time she has worked in all
areas from sound and lighting to stage management as well as being
an award winning performer in such productions as Cosi,Much Ado
about nothing and Secret Bridesmaid's business.
Angela
recently also added Director to her resume with the multi-award
winning production of the one act play Henna Night
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