Independent theatre company Arthur, formed in 2011 by director Paige Rattray and producer Belinda Kelly, have put together a delightfully dazzling and daring show, CUT SNAKE.
It is the first play hosted by the Tamarama Rock Surfers (TRS) for their 2013 season. TRS are now in permanent residency at the wonderful Bondi Pavillion Theatre – now set to become a major presenter of exciting new Australian plays this year.
The entrance to the theatre and the stage have been transformed into a giant cubby house for CUT SNAKE, with a patchwork of soft and colourful bed sheets and blankets joined together. It is an extremely warm and inviting set, suggesting imaginative stories about to unfold. The lighting by Ross Graham gives the impression of a child’s bedroom.
The three actors, Julia Billington (as Bob, resplendent with drawn on moustache), Catherine Davies (as Kiki, the cheeky dancer, reminiscent of Liza Minnelli in CABARET) and Kevin Kiernan-Molloy (vibrant as Jumper, bearded lady, Jesus and John Lennon), light up the stage with extraordinary flexibility and energy, taking us on our journey with great intimacy.
This is, ‘A joyous tale about growing up, dying young, and being extraordinary no matter what’. The characters lives intertwine, and their dreams are pursued and challenged by destiny and love.
The actors take us through childhood dreams, mountain climbing, sex change, time travel and birth and death with great humour and sadness. The style is contagious and vigorous – slapstick, dance, music, acrobatics, burlesque, sock snake hand puppet and animal masks.
CUT SNAKE came about as a collaborative process between writers Paige Rattray, Amelia Evans, and Dan Giovannoni, with work-in-progress contributions by the actors and composer Tom Hogan and Scott Sandwich’s time travel sequence.
The night is a kooky and most enjoyable theatrical experience – a visual smorgasbord of movement and style.
The ARTHUR Company have bought a tent to take their show on the road through regional Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania, where they will collect stories and legends for their new MYTH PROJECT.
CUT SNAKE plays the Bondi Pavilion Theatre, Bondi Beach, until 23rd of March.
© Bronwyn Fullerton
15th March, 2013
Tags: Sydney Stage Reviews- CUT SNAKE, Paige Rattray, Belinda Kelly, TRS, ARTHUR, Ross Graham, Bondi Pavilion Theatre, Julia Billington, Catherine Davies, Kevin Kiernan-Molloy, Amelia Evans, Dan Giovannoni, Tom Hogan, Scott Sandwhich, ARTHUR Company, MYTH PROJECT, John Feely, Sydney Arts Guide, Bronwyn Fullerton.
