This play by Russian playwright Aleksander Vampilov’s (1937-1972) feels like very familiar territory. DUCK HUNTING charts the troubled journey of a disillusioned young man, and bears a lot of similarity to works such as Platanov by the great Russian playwright Anton Chekhov.
The narrative follows the plight of Craig, a thirty-something guy who has lost his will to live. Craig has come to detest his mundane job and the petty superior he must defer to, his marriage is falling apart, he feels betrayed by his friends, and he disdains the young foreign student who offers him the passion he once derived from his wife. Craig’s only hope is his annual duck-hunting trip, which he believes will restore a purpose to his life.
This is the first production to be mounted by the Contemporarian Theatre Company who state that their influences include Konstantin Stanislavski, Vsevolod Meyerhold and Russia’s Vakhtangov Theatre.
It is an ambitious production, featuring a large cast with the play running over three hours with just one interval.
I wish I could report back that this was an exciting, memorable debut. Sadly, this is not a show that I can recommend. Vampilov’s interesting, well crafted work merited a much stronger production than was delivered by Contemporarian.
I found the direction and many of the performances, excluding Christian Heath in a solid performance in the lead role and Louise Harding as his wife, lacking, and at times even embarrassing.
A Contemporarian Theatre Company production, Alexsandr Vampilov ‘s DUCK HUNTING as adapted by Shai Alexander and Toby B Styling, is playing the King Street Theatre, Level 1, 644 King Street Newtown corner Bray street until Sunday 29th November. Performance times Tuesdays to Fridays at 7.30pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm, and Sundays at 5pm. Bookings @ www.contemporarian.com.au.
Credits-
Directed and Produced by Shai Alexander and Toby B. Styling
Cast-
Christain Heath, Nicholas Drummond, Anthony Stottile, Louise Harding, Michelle De Rosa, Paul Gerrard, Jessica Saras, Joshua Wiseman, Carlos Sivalingam
Video appearances by Jack Lovich, Lachlan Edmonds-Munto, Wilson Moore, Amanda Collins.