The latest offering from local playwright, Grahame Patterson, was premiered on the weekend of 4-6 May 2012.
Entitled ‘Rewind’, this play challenges contemporary attitudes to sexuality, especially female behaviours that mirror the apparently acceptable male sexual mores.
The script challenges the audience with the questions, “When is too much of a good thing too much?” and “What makes rakish behaviour socially acceptable?”
Perhaps the greatest achievement in the script is the interweaving plot lines that link the characters together in an unexpected manner. This intriguing construction appears to be influenced by the style of David Willliamson.
The flashback nature of the story unfurls the relationship between the players, leaving many in the audience with unanswered questions that in turn led to a brainstorming discussion after the final curtain fell.
A local, so-called ‘amateur’ cast, romped through the entertaining script much to the delight of the small invited audience.
The play centres around the death of George, also known as Alex or Mr Y, played by the debonair Jim Harrop and the events in the lives of his two leading ladies.
Helen, a somewhat prudish solo femme, played with great aplomb by Minnie Rose, is challenged by the attitudes of the “not immoral, possibly ‘amoral’” Jane (Hayley Tonkin). This questioning creates the plot that reverses Helen’s ideas, unwittingly displacing fiancée Virginia, played with enthusiasm by Katya Gladiadis, in George’s affections and finally sweeping Virginia into the arms of Tim (Ewan Paterson) “the worst best man”, who she describes as a worthless rake.
The innovative use of two stage spaces, outside and inside, added to the strong contributions made by all the players.
Patterson wrote, produced and directed this entertaining addition to our local cultural heritage.
Armidale needs more such experimental theatrical events in a properly equipped, suitable small theatre space such as the former Playhouse Theatre.
Jack Arnold,
Armidale
