‘Rewrite – everyone is a critic’ is a one-act comedy, written and directed by Cat Morawiec.
I first saw Cat about 6 yrs. ago when she performed in Murdoch University’s Theatre Company’s production of ‘You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown’. Cat wanted to produce an original show of her own, and here it is with a few of her university friends, having its World Premiere as part of Perth’s FRINGE WORLD Festival, and it is already justified in being a Weekly Award winner.
This 85-minute romantic comedy is being presented in the Alexandra Theatre, 627 Albany Highway, Victoria Park.
The theatre has a good bar area and foyer. The auditorium is a pleasant dance hall, with a wall of mirrors for ballet practise. The 8-metre-wide stage is 60 cms above the dance floor. Each of the wings have two hard rotatable panels
This production is suitable for the whole family although older teenagers would be more likely to enjoy it. Curtain-up at 7.30 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 13 February, Sat – 7:30pm
Stage capably managed by 15 yrs. old (?), who handled the desk, chair and many small props.
Lighting and sound by David. The sound system was powerful and crisp, but there was a slight earth hum (try checking the mess shielding in the input sockets of the amplifier). Good selection of music from the early 60’s, such as Frankie Avalon’s ‘Venus’ from 1960.
There are few LED flood lights, but most of the lighting comes from two large white floods at the back of the audience, but sadly without the essential barndoors, so much of the auditorium, proscenium arch and surrounding wall were fully lit, in fact the stage was the darkest place.
When the seating is all on the same level, each row should be half a seat displaced to the row in front to allow better viewing. When actors sit or lie on the floor, no one other than the front row can really see the action. The candle scene was lost to me.
I know these comments may appear nit picking, but I give them not as a derogatory complaint but friendly advice.
The stage lights go up on a brief hammy scene with some terrible over dramatic acting – in the style of ‘The Days of our Lives’. (My heart sank). Lincoln (Calen Simpson) the suave, egotistical love machine was attempting to charm flighty Tiana (Clara Lee), but Tiana was two-timing Jordan (Oscar Sheil) her shy but desperate partner.
Then the audience noticed writer Samantha (Monique Nelson) and artist Niamh (Maggie Cope-Thomas) at the side of the stage writing this, their first play. The action we had just seen, was as they had written it – rough.
One writer wants a soppy love story, the other a more dramatic affair; however, as they watch their play being enacted the computer seemed to develop a glitch and more dialogue appeared then they had typed in. They called for the skills of their nerdy computer friend Andrew (Aaron O’Neil), but things got worse. How can they resolve everything?
Great cast, they all got the original and quirky premise of the play. Thankfully they are all very good actors, as the dangerous error of the playwright also directing (don’t do this until you have written and produced half a dozen plays) allowed the script to be 20% too long, with the same funny ideas being pushed repeatedly e.g., Lincoln’s hair combing and great romantic stare. Every sentence should be original.
The dialogue is well structured and matches the character speaking. Some good directing, with fun ideas such as the boys’ handshakes.
The cast’s diction and projection were strong, but with no soft scenery or drapes around, more volume was required, coupled with a slower delivery. Hard surfaces, actors facing to the rear of the stage, foreign accents, excitement, anger are just a few of the times a slow delivery is essential, otherwise the dialogue may be gabbled and difficult to understand.
I know these comments will disappoint the whole team, but the show was clever, original and almost there.