FRINGE part 2

A couple of shows from Melbourne's uni students.

You Walk Away, And Never Once Turn Your Head

19  September 2014

Fringe Hub, Raglan Street Gallery

to 4 October

melbournefringe.com.au

Paper Crown Theatre are from MUST (Monash University Student Theatre) and are carrying on the tradition of excellent theatre produced through the university union.

You Walk Away, And Never Once Turn Your Head is written and directed by Joseph Brown. Like most new works, it could start later and there's some self indulgence, especially with discussions about being a writer, but it doesn't distract from the guts and heart of the story.

It's about  20-somethings Felicity (Niamh Hassett, who isn't in the Fringe guide pic) and Jack (Edan Goodall) who live in the same block of flats and are both so lonely that they can't see their own friendship. Hassett and Goodall's honest performances grew stronger and more confident throughout the night and both brought a personal understanding to their characters.

They also deserve a prize and a hug for dealing with and overcoming the worst sound bleed ever. It's not easy to perform a quiet two-person drama with what sounds like a barnyard dance and biker-gang cabaret going on upstairs. It was distracting, but they made it work for them. It became like a punk soundtrack to the show with inappropriate music and unexplained thumping.

The Transfer Station

20 September 2014

Chapel off Chapel, Loft 2

to 21 September

melbournefringe.com.au

The Transfer Station team are from Deakin University and are continuing the tradition of strong and original theatre voices to come from Deakin.

Seeing Monash, Deakin (and VCA) students performing at Fringe underlines how we have to fight to keep creative and performing arts – and all tertiary study – accessible. And fight to remind the powers-that-be and all the dull people who don't get "arts" just how important this type of study is.

The Transfer Station is inspired by a line in an Elizabeth Bishop poem: "The Art of Losing isn't hard to master, some things seem so filled with the intent to be lost that their loss is no disaster."

In a thick dark that's lit by portable LED lights, we meet Captain Sadie Croak (Laura Soding) and Fish (Steph Franke), who are travelling through an endless void in a ship made from the discarded junk they find on their journey to the promise of the transfer station. When they get separated and attempt to go on alone, they find more than maps and hope in Cous (Erin Hegarty) and Mole (Hayley Elliott-Ryan).

It's gentle, adorable and intelligent storytelling that's led by characters finding their way and discovering happiness, beauty and purpose in a world that looks like it was rejected.

Their design is created only from found objects that have been thrown away, and its keys, bolts, cans and treasures create the storytelling style, which is supported by a live soundtrack from Tom Bensley on guitar.

And there's kazoo, mouth organ and bottle music! How can anyone not love that.

Review: Knives in Hens

Knives in Hens
MUST
1 May 2014
MUST Theatre at Monash University
to 10 May
monashstudentassociation.com

Photo by Debbie Yew

Each time I see something created my MUST (Monash University Student Theatre), I tell myself that I must see more of what they do. So many ex-MUSTers are making their mark in Melbourne's independent and professional theatres that it's so worth going back to the source and seeing the artists who are going to be getting our attention very soon.

And with the Bachelor of Performing Arts getting a kick in the guts at Monash University, MUST is the only way for some students to get practical experience. I just have to think how much I learnt in my student theatre days to remember the importance of university-supported/funded student theatre.

Knives in Hens by Scottish writer David Harrower was first performed in 1997 in the UK and has since become one of the most performed Scottish plays. It was last seen in Melbourne in 2009 in a production, by Malthouse and State Theatre of South Australian, that I think ultimately let the script down by focussing on design and performance. (Here's my review but the best discussion happened on Theatre Notes.)

Directed by Yvonne Virsik, this production approaches the script with a delicate hand and an understanding that shows why it's so loved. By ensuring that its deceptively simple story (a love triangle in village not far from industrial change) drives the action, the poetry of its dense language is accessible. With story being clear, the audience are free to listen to the language and find their own meaning in its layers.

Yvonne continues to get beautiful performances out of young actors (Emily O'Conner, Edan Goodall and Jonny Dutaillis) and guides the students in the creation of a work that reflects their experience and interpretation of this play.

Monash Uni is out at Clayton, but it's not a long drive and there's plenty of parking. Or there's a bus to the door. The tickets are affordable and you will see excellent theatre.

PS. I didn't write about the last MUST show, Psychopomp and Drench, but its was stunning.

Next up at MUST is The Government Inspector (15–24 May).