Reviewed by Kate O'Sullivan
The Darlington Theatre Players' One Act Season delivered a dynamic range of performances, showcasing the versatility and creativity in the Marloo theatre community.
The Red House Monster - directed by Georgia Stidwell and Brianna Thompson.
The evening opened with "The Red House Monster," a period piece distinguished by Kathryn Wackett’s enchanting costumes, which vividly evoked the era. Candice Preston's portrayal of Geryon was a standout, marked by impressive physicality and vocal detail. However, the consistency of accents was a bit uneven across the cast, starting strong and often fading out as the lines went on. The production made effective use of the wide stage, with skilful lighting that highlighted different areas and scenes. Despite some lengthy scene changes that disrupted the flow of the story, the young directors navigated the complex time shifts—particularly Hannah Gold’s role, played by Zoe Carr—with commendable effort.
Bittersweet Lullaby - directed by Keiran Ridgway
Next, "Bittersweet Lullaby" was a compact, 10-minute gem that managed to be both sleek and engaging. The piece told a simple musical story with clarity, and both Alan Gill and Teah Steward made the most of their limited stage time with well-defined characters. The music, beautifully rendered by both actors, added to the piece’s charm. The set, centred around a baby grand piano, was used effectively, though the choreography felt somewhat less deliberate than intended. This minor quibble did little to detract from the overall strength of the presentation.
Cut - directed by Harrison Ricci
The third play, "Cut," featured a large ensemble cast who do a wonderful job with the highly comic, meta script, with each actor displaying a keen sense of comedic timing. The seamless speedy transitions between characters, especially vocally, showcased the cast’s skill. The play’s meta-commentary was intriguing and well executed, though discussing it in detail risks revealing too much. The ending was particularly strong, offering a satisfying and simple resolution to a complex show. Definitely an audience favourite, judging by the laughter throughout.
Dinner For One - directed by Ray Egan
The final piece, "Dinner For One," demonstrated the enduring appeal of a classic. Ray Egan's physical comedy was a highlight, complemented by Veronica Fourie’s excellent performance as his foil. The pacing of the piece was a bit of a conundrum — either it needed to quicken to enhance the chaos or slow down to allow the audience to enjoy the struggle of the butler trying to carry on. Additionally, a more downstage orientation of the table might have better showcased Egan's expressions, and let the audience into the comedy even further. Nonetheless, the set and costumes perfectly captured the scene’s essence.
Overall, it was a great night of theatre, with a diverse and compelling array of performances that affirmed Marloo’s reputation for varied and high-quality presentations.
Reviewer Note: Kate has worked with a number of performers and creatives involved with this One Act season, both at Marloo Theatre and across Perth. Tickets for this review were provided by the theatre company.
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