Review * The Tempest
June 8th 2010 04:09
:
a Mixed Salad Production
Link: www.mixedsalad.com.au/
MIXED SALAD
presents
The Tempest
Star Theatre
145 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Hilton
The Tempest is considered William Shakespeare's latest, greatest and most enthralling play; set on a mysterious island populated by monsters, sprites and fairies it is a magical and wondrous place created long before Jules Verne's Mysterious Island.
The play starts with a massive storm that shipwrecks a collection of noble folk and servants, good and bad. That is until you get to understand more of the plot and realise that the poor old fellow Prospero who is already well established on the island with his beautiful daughter Miranda has been left for dead here by his brother - that's when you start to notice the difference between the Have's and the Have-not's. The Have's seem to be able to roll-out their evil plans without any worry, the Have Not's are a busy and opportunistic bunch, but procrastinate more than achieve.
This adaptation or edited version of the play not only meddles with the words, but the scenarios as well - to tightly trim what is an incredibly massive play, and a little too wordy for those who simply want to stick with the coming's going's and doing's of the various characters.
It's not only a successful adaption, but one that lends a worthwhile insight into the changing value of Shakespeare's work. His ideas are clear and defined enough to trim into a fast paced action comedy and Mixed Salad's production makes this as plain as day.
Although many may be disappointed at one or another speech or scene or even character being cut away, split up or condensed, it's easy enough to relish the words at home with a copy of the play if you really want to dwell on the fabulous language concocted and perfected by the Bard.
When it comes to placing a very old work into the light for a new theatre audience, sometimes the condensed version is best. It's not so easy to keep up with the words if they slow down the action, and in The Tempest (uncut) there are some very long sections that could well baffle an audience of younger folk.
Not that they couldn't understand it with some help at school, but in the theatre where it's nice to stay alert and focused on the action on stage - a fast show is a good show.
Splitting characters into two different characters (and of the opposite sex) works well because the writing is so clear in the first place. Substituting various magical elements in the play for new technology strips much of the fairy tale elements out of a story that relies heavily on them - although it's easy enough to accept all the technology with the primary fairy character Ariel, changed into what is more a representation of an indigenous race on the island.
Making Ariel part of an aboriginal people with strange customs and ways rather than a Disneyland Tinkerbell (as the character is oft' portrayed) works well and Sharon Malujilo tackles the role with a nuanced depth as well as a highly stylised but ultimately naturalistic physicality. There are no strings attached as she floats and zips around the stage.
All the elements, no pun intended, remain on the stage that lift most easily off of the page. I liked this about the production.
The physicality of the performers was all extremely convincing; playing on sand can be a treacherous way to work, barefooted running on raw wood finishes, scurrying around in the dark - these actors held their characters well and kept the action convincing and focused.
No one stole a particular scene in what was a very well rounded ensemble piece.
Typical of the local Adelaide theatre scene A Mixed Salad Production will often place trained actors on stage with untrained ones which can sometimes make for an uneven level of performance, although in this case it doesn't really show. The work is tight and clean. The costumes, lighting and set all have the slickness of a fully funded professional production.
The one thing that does stand out, curious as it may seem, is the meet and greet from Director Sally Putnam who contextualises the piece in a brief and warm welcome down stage centre. I've seen many productions around the country where a similar thing will happen, and sometimes it makes one cringe before the lights go down.
Putnam however does not have this affect. Her direct and as previously stated warm reception, actually served as a little pre-show act brief as it was. Her ability to make everyone feel appreciated was subtle but evident, and in these days of high-art festival productions that roll in and then out of town with lots of brilliance but scant connection to the punters such an approach is quite charming.
The next production, coming in November, is a Jonathan Harvey play, he of the Beautiful People television show and Beautiful Thing play (and movie). Being a writer who mostly deals with same-sex attracted characters his play may not be as universal as The Tempest, but judging by the production standards so consistently delivered by Mixed Salad Productions, it will definitely be worth seeing.
Look out for it.
David Jobling
Previews
Tues 25 and Weds 26 May 2010 at 8pm
Main season
27 May - 5 June 2010
Thursdays to Saturdays at 8pm
Sunset shows:
Sun 30 May at 4.00pm
Weds 2 June at 6.30pm
Pay what you can rush tickets are available at the door to the unwaged for sunset shows. Suggested donation: $10
Ticket Prices
$25: Adults
$18: Concession (incl under 16s, students)
$18: Groups of 10 or more adults
$15: Fringe Benefits Members
$10: all tickets for Previews
Venue
Star Theatre
145 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Hilton
presents
The Tempest
Star Theatre
145 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Hilton
The Tempest is considered William Shakespeare's latest, greatest and most enthralling play; set on a mysterious island populated by monsters, sprites and fairies it is a magical and wondrous place created long before Jules Verne's Mysterious Island.
The play starts with a massive storm that shipwrecks a collection of noble folk and servants, good and bad. That is until you get to understand more of the plot and realise that the poor old fellow Prospero who is already well established on the island with his beautiful daughter Miranda has been left for dead here by his brother - that's when you start to notice the difference between the Have's and the Have-not's. The Have's seem to be able to roll-out their evil plans without any worry, the Have Not's are a busy and opportunistic bunch, but procrastinate more than achieve.
This adaptation or edited version of the play not only meddles with the words, but the scenarios as well - to tightly trim what is an incredibly massive play, and a little too wordy for those who simply want to stick with the coming's going's and doing's of the various characters.
It's not only a successful adaption, but one that lends a worthwhile insight into the changing value of Shakespeare's work. His ideas are clear and defined enough to trim into a fast paced action comedy and Mixed Salad's production makes this as plain as day.
Although many may be disappointed at one or another speech or scene or even character being cut away, split up or condensed, it's easy enough to relish the words at home with a copy of the play if you really want to dwell on the fabulous language concocted and perfected by the Bard.
When it comes to placing a very old work into the light for a new theatre audience, sometimes the condensed version is best. It's not so easy to keep up with the words if they slow down the action, and in The Tempest (uncut) there are some very long sections that could well baffle an audience of younger folk.
Not that they couldn't understand it with some help at school, but in the theatre where it's nice to stay alert and focused on the action on stage - a fast show is a good show.
Splitting characters into two different characters (and of the opposite sex) works well because the writing is so clear in the first place. Substituting various magical elements in the play for new technology strips much of the fairy tale elements out of a story that relies heavily on them - although it's easy enough to accept all the technology with the primary fairy character Ariel, changed into what is more a representation of an indigenous race on the island.
All the elements, no pun intended, remain on the stage that lift most easily off of the page. I liked this about the production.
The physicality of the performers was all extremely convincing; playing on sand can be a treacherous way to work, barefooted running on raw wood finishes, scurrying around in the dark - these actors held their characters well and kept the action convincing and focused.
No one stole a particular scene in what was a very well rounded ensemble piece.
Typical of the local Adelaide theatre scene A Mixed Salad Production will often place trained actors on stage with untrained ones which can sometimes make for an uneven level of performance, although in this case it doesn't really show. The work is tight and clean. The costumes, lighting and set all have the slickness of a fully funded professional production.
The one thing that does stand out, curious as it may seem, is the meet and greet from Director Sally Putnam who contextualises the piece in a brief and warm welcome down stage centre. I've seen many productions around the country where a similar thing will happen, and sometimes it makes one cringe before the lights go down.
Putnam however does not have this affect. Her direct and as previously stated warm reception, actually served as a little pre-show act brief as it was. Her ability to make everyone feel appreciated was subtle but evident, and in these days of high-art festival productions that roll in and then out of town with lots of brilliance but scant connection to the punters such an approach is quite charming.
The next production, coming in November, is a Jonathan Harvey play, he of the Beautiful People television show and Beautiful Thing play (and movie). Being a writer who mostly deals with same-sex attracted characters his play may not be as universal as The Tempest, but judging by the production standards so consistently delivered by Mixed Salad Productions, it will definitely be worth seeing.
Look out for it.
David Jobling
Previews
Tues 25 and Weds 26 May 2010 at 8pm
Main season
27 May - 5 June 2010
Thursdays to Saturdays at 8pm
Sunset shows:
Sun 30 May at 4.00pm
Weds 2 June at 6.30pm
Pay what you can rush tickets are available at the door to the unwaged for sunset shows. Suggested donation: $10
Ticket Prices
$25: Adults
$18: Concession (incl under 16s, students)
$18: Groups of 10 or more adults
$15: Fringe Benefits Members
$10: all tickets for Previews
Venue
Star Theatre
145 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Hilton
| 70 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
