Actors find feet in search for script

Review: Actors in Search of a Script

Kristin Thiele
Connections arts writer
Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

Students studying drama at Avondale College have produced an original look at the theatrical experience in Actors in Search of a Script.

Written by Dr Jane Fernandez-Goldborough, a senior lecturer in English in the Faculty of Arts, the play is about a drama troupe that is “trying on” scenes as the producer explains the art of theatre to the actors and to the audience.

As the actors create several famous scenes from Shakespeare’s finest plays, members of the audience are confronted with the reality that they are watching a play. In most productions, this would be a criticism; in this production, it is an achievement.

Each scene is crafted beautifully, drawing members of the audience in and then transitioning them to the next scene without creating a feeling of loss. The structure builds anticipation. With actors breaking the fourth wall and speaking to the audience, the audience becomes part of the play.

Actors in Search of a Script included moments of silliness—one of the scenes used theme music from the movie, Pink Panther—and gravitas—Kiel Winch’s depiction of Shylock, for example. Hamlet’s Three Witches—Stephanie Bennett, Cheree Drisch and Nikarri Parker—added continuity and perspective to scenes that may have otherwise felt disjointed. The play didn’t lack humour or seriousness as each actor brought a distinct personality to each of their roles. Renee Mau’s contribution is noteworthy, not only for her energy, but also for her effortless ability to connect the audience to her scenes.

While creativity often enhanced the mood of scenes, it sometimes came at the expense of the needs of the audience. Some scenes were too dark to see actors properly, and some actors didn’t move into lighted positions to speak their lines.

Actors in Search of a Script deserves another staging. Viewing it is bliss.

Links
Slideshow (Credit: Ann Stafford)