NSFW (Not Safe from Work) is having its World Premiere in Perth. Written by ex-Murdoch Theatre student, and budding talented playwright, Sean Wcislo, this is a madcap comedy (for an audience aged 15+) with some wonderful characters. Sean has had four of his previous plays performed by the Modicum Theatre Group, and last year one of his comedies was nominated for a Perth Fringe World award. This two-hour bundle of wacky fun can be seen at 7.30 pm in The Kitchen Building, at the Heathcote Cultural Precinct (old Hospital), 58 Duncraig Road in Applecross until Saturday 8th December. The parking is free and the venue is wheelchair accessible.
This Laura Hodges’ production was managed by Nicholas Tan. The venue seats about 40 audience members, yet still had tiered seating. The amount of work converting the venue was quite impressive. The set’s designer and constructor was Elizabeth Hamilton, who along with Aaron Hamilton has gathered a myriad of props. There were several set locations, from the skyline CEO’s office, to the boffin’s basement workshop. With clever use of a couple of revolving office dividers, the whole scene was rapidly changed. With a cast of thousands – well there were 14 actors – in such a small venue, the potential for chaos was very real, but with the stage management in the very capable hands of Aaron Hamilton, the entrances and exits – along with the set changes (Mia Barnes and cast) – were flawless. The lighting was designed and operated by Injeong Hwang. Considering that all of the fittings and LED lamps had to be installed purely for this show, the mood was captured perfectly. Ryan Partridge’s sound design called for strange sound effects, and the whole soundscape was presented in quadrophonic sound. It was skilfully operated by Beck Thorman.
Four youngsters with minimal work experience are excited to have managed into Valfield’s Intern Programme. Valfield is one of the area’s most respected companies, and employs 1,200 people. The new nervous comers who are soon being easily bullied, are Eli (Jordan Holloway), pink haired and slightly stroppy, Angela (Bella Doyle – Murdoch student of the year), attractive, helpful but slightly dim, Lana (Andrea Kendrick) and the dumb mute, – an aphasic who was mentally far from dumb – and contradictorily called ‘Racket’ (Rosalie Schneider). These apprentices were bullied mercilessly by the heartless CEO, Jennifer (Hayley Lyons) along with the emotionless, stern deputy CEO, Sharon (Jordan Dunne) and her subordinate, ‘yes girl’ Tracy (Tarryn McGrath). As the foursome wandered around the building they met the handsome mocking couple, Billy (Jonathan Maddocks) and Jake (Maximiliano Laffont) who immediately dumped their day’s work onto them. The youngsters then had to fetch coffee that was not really required; and on telling the section manager Harriet, (Taylor Home) found she too was a smiling assassin, with not a scrap of sympathy. In the basement they found two computer nerds, Bertie (Ryan Partridge) and Tony (Steven Correia) who spoke in a new technical language that left them all confused. Then they discovered, alone in her research lab, Alessandro, the barmy but genial, senior scientist (Alanna van Mierlo) who seemed to sleep in her laboratory.
Perhaps the shy pitiable worker, desperate for love, Devon Night (Cam Michael Butler) can help them.
The hilarious ‘boys greeting’ and ‘fight choreography’ was the work of Launcelot Ronzan and Bella Doyle. The script has been well thought out, with carefully developed, diverse characters. The dialogue was natural and superbly structured; this in turn allowed the cast to deliver their lines smoothly with full humour. It was obvious that Sean is not a ‘precious’ author or director, but has sensibly workshopped the script with his cast or friends. He has then wisely appointed the dry wit of Sarah Lewis, and her skills at directing movement amongst the cast. The costumes by Tarryn McGrath covered the immaculately tailored suits of the upper echelon, down to the scruffy lab coat of the mad professor. The show had a great number of laughs, twists and a few politically incorrect quotes that brought the house down with laughter. Wonderful cast of talented performers. Great fun.