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Closer
Presented by: Tadaa Productions
Venue: Brightspace, St Kilda
Reviewer: Robbie Carmellotti
Date Reviewed: 20th July 2008
Closer is one of my all-time favourite movies and pieces of theatre.
In my humble opinion it is written honestly, and with such detail to
the dialogue and emotion that it is unrivalled in its brilliance. I
feel it is so relevant to today’s society and deals with such deep
human emotions, delving into sex, love, betrayal, manipulation,
jealousy, depression, angst and death.
Before I begin with my critique on the production, I must state that
overall I thoroughly enjoyed the journey the show took me on, and I
feel the company, cast and production team did extremely well in
portraying this difficult masterpiece of Patrick Marber’s.
There were aspects to the show which I loved and aspects that I
didn’t. So in the spirit of writing a constructive review that is
my (a fan and audience member’s) opinion only, I shall enter into
both.
When I first sat in the intimate gallery environment I loved the set
and imagery I was looking at, but once the show got under way I felt
the space used was a little impractical for the scene changes and
fast moving scenes that this show is full of. Entries and exits were
obvious and at times distracting, and the change of scene set up,
though well blocked and choreographed to a tee seemed to take me out
of the moment, and at the start of each scene I needed to reconnect
with the show.
I wonder if this show is best suited to a revolve? The show also
used very basic lighting that could have been a lot more interesting
and creative...Though I can see that the idea was to keep it real to
life and simple, the show has several speedy montage type scenes
that could have used some effects.
The casting - this is a very hard show to cast because each of the
four characters needs to have chemistry with one another that is
intense and intriguing. I’m unsure whether this show was auditioned
of if it was through invites, but I felt it very hard to connect
with some of the relationships on stage.
I felt nothing between Dan and Larry apart from dialogue, Anna and
Larry had an amazing stage rapport, yet Alice and Dan lacked
believability. Alice and Anna were also at times more like mother
and daughter (not in looks) than rivals for love.
Taking purely into account the chemistry between the characters (not
the actors’ ability or depiction) I tend to think the show was
slightly miss cast, as individually I enjoyed most of what the
actors did, but as believable relationships I found it hard to
connect, I wasn’t convinced these people would even associate in the
real world as friends let alone tumultuous lovers.
Closer is full of coarse language and language of a sexual nature
that is supposed to be backed with massive emotion and meaning that
you are supposed to feel as though
you
are feeling it and saying it, therefore it is not offensive.
Unfortunately the direction with this was not strong enough as most
of the language seemed offensive and in its delivery, as though the
approach was to gain humour.
Each of the four actors we’re clearly professional in their approach
to creating their character as well as making it individual and not
a carbon copy of Natalie Portman or Jude Law etc. It was so
enjoyable watching such talented people work, and I loved watching
them become their creation.
I loved, loved, loved the character of Anna, and full credit must go
to the direction of this character and of course to Amanda Kingston
who brought this character to life.
Anna is usually the most understated character, and often
overplayed, but Amanda turned Anna into the show’s standout leaving
me wanting to know more and more about her. Her delivery was superb.
I feel she did the role full justice, and you would be hard pressed
to find anyone who could play the role to the same standard.
The role of Alice is possibly one of the most difficult roles to
deliver with full conviction. She is very deep, extremely
perceptive, manipulating and oozes sex appeal in a manner that is
far from cheap, though she is a stripper.
Lily Hall played the sexy side of the role with ease, and looks and
sounds just like Alice should. Perhaps she played the role a little
too naive? I didn’t see the silent cunningness, bitterness and raw
emotion covered by subtle and minimal expression that is supposed to
make Alice hard to read, and hard to know. If it’s possible I felt
as though I understood Alice too much.
Dan, played by David Kambouris started the show perhaps a little
nervy... the opening 2 scenes felt as though he was purely
delivering monotone monologues not actually being Dan, but then
suddenly half way through Act 1, he truly became the character and
told the story of Dan at an exceptional level, and towards the end
of the show, he had taken me on an emotional journey that I didn’t
expect. I usually pity Dan, but in this case I felt genuinely sorry
for him and saw a different side of this character.
Larry was portrayed by James Taylor. This character was the topic of
heated discussion between myself and a friend of mine who joined me
at the show. I felt James overplayed the role. I thought Larry’s
manipulative mind and rough charm was overshadowed by the character
showing too much stunned emotion and desperation.
I feel it needed to be more dark and subtle. Yet my friend seemed to
love James’s portrayal and left the theatre with Larry a possible
favourite. So I guess that proves everyone sees things differently
and James, you made the drive home an interesting one... Perhaps
that’s the best compliment, being spoken about up to 2 hours after
the show.
So I could go on forever, and I probably will talk about this show
for weeks, as I find it so damn interesting and relative. I
congratulate everyone involved and thank them for putting on this
great show. It provided me with an evening of great unexpected
entertainment.
Robbie is has played roles such as- Mike ,Greg & Don in A Chorus
Line, Mungojerrie in Cats, Bernardo in West Side Story, King
Herod-Jesus Christ Superstar. He is a dancer/adjudicator by trade,
currently performing in crown’s Million Dollar Dream promotion, and
has been a world rep to the youth World’s Latin, and competed/toured
nationally and internationally . He is a Professional Latin finalist
and Australian representative. He has been lyrebird nominated as a
performer, choreographer and director having worked with companies
like
Whitehorse,
DTC, Nova, Windmill, Players, Break a leg and Fab Nobs. |