I Met Christine James-Scott in the Shopping Centre Carpark

‘I Met Christine James-Scott in the Shopping Centre Carpark’ is a hilarious, new one-act play by Perth playwright Sally Davies. Although still in her mid-twenties, this is her third play to be produced at The Blue Room. This emerging theatre maker and writer was a Curtin University 2017 undergraduate in Theatre Arts and Creative Writing. During her time with the Hayman Theatre Company, she wrote and directed two shows that were performed at the Hayman Theatre. This kind of achievement record is rare, only Perth luminaries such as Kate Mulvaney have achieved this in the past and she went on to massive worldwide success. Good luck in the future to Sally Davies, she has great writing and theatrical skills. Her student participation ranged from props to directing; with massive acting and technical training, she so should have a wonderful future ahead.

In 2018, with fellow ex-Haymanite Anna Lindstedt, who has also been Sally’s co-writer in the past, they founded an emerging theatre company, ‘Lindstedt and Davies’ that created theatrical pieces and Perth Fringe shows.

This 60-minute production runs nightly at 7.00, until the 11th December in The Blue Room Theatre, 53 James Street, Northbridge

STAGE ONE is a Curtin Theatre Arts initiative. Now in its 11th year, STAGE ONE offers a budding Western Australian playwright the opportunity to write and premiere a new play, whilst giving undergraduates experience to hone their talents by working off campus.

The scene:           A shopping centre’s concrete, underground car park. It is 1988, at the height of Prime Minister Bob Hawke’s rule.

The set:                No credit shown. A 30 cms high platform has been created across the width of the stage. The charcoal coloured graffitied rear wall of the car park has a drainage ridge where the youngsters sit, as they regularly gather to discuss the world.

               We also see inside Julia’s sitting room, with its three-seater, blush pink settee.

Lighting design and operation:                   Very high standard, but no credit shown.

Soundscape design and operation:            James Letch’s smooth sound operating is combined with an excellent backing track selection.

Production Manager:      Stephen Carr, along with Stage Manager Chloe Palliser and her assistant Stage Manager, Keely Johnston ran a smooth ship. There were no ‘stage wings’ but the cast knew where to stand unobtrusively at the side of the stage.

A group of local teenagers, who are outgrowing their adolescence, are despondently trapped in their own purposeless and indeterminate future. They are unknowingly being controlled by the charismatic, but candid Julia (Cait Griffiths). Julia has just met her best friend, checkout chick Lola (Tully Jones) and her wimpy gullible brother, Tim (Oliver Charlton) who are out for a smoko break.

When another two of the gang, Sue (Lilian Tran) and heartthrob Duncan (Alex Hutchings) arrive, Duncan announces that his stunning cousin, Christine (Georgia Condon) is home from America, where she is very well known for her appearance in an internationally famous movie classic.

Julia’s older sister, known as horsey girl (Ella Randle) has an affliction and is very lonely.

This a delightful story of a variety of teenagers with very different backgrounds and interests. The dialogue is amazingly written with tight, fresh, well-observed expressions and reactions. The story has love affairs and hints of unrequited love. With the careful direction of Clare Watson and her assistant Nelson Fannon, this show just flows. A young audience – and this was probably aimed at the under 30s – can instantly spot unlikely or outdated idioms. This audience enjoyed every second.

The director has managed to blend in the subtle hidden emotions that gave the story genuine depth.

The actors captured the intimacy and rapport superbly. Each audience member will probably connect with different character – strangely mine was the least likely choice, horsey.

A most enjoyable production.