The SBW Stables Theatre in the Cross is currently presenting the play, FIVE PROPERTIES OF CHAINMALE,  by the multi-talented Nicholas Hope who is best known for his groundbreaking performance in the title role in Rolf De Heer’s AFI award winning film, BAD BOY BUBBY

Hope’s latest work (previous works include the play Little Gods, his short film Complicity, and his memoir, Brushing The Tip Of Fame) tackles the subject/canvas of contemporary society.

In the playwright’s own words, ‘this work exposes the ubiquitous , narcissistic qualities of modern masculinity as five charming, personable and ultimately likable characters confront their own crumbling reflections”.

Hope takes us on quite a ride. Through the play we follow different men in their encounters in a seedy London hotel room,  a trendy gallery in Oslo, a cafes in Adelaide, the streets of coastal Sydney and the waiting room of a criminal court,

The audience is led through some very curly situations including: a middle-aged good Samaritan  helps out a taxi driver who is being confronted by a violent schizophrenic, a man having an extra-marital fling is belittled by his mistress, a husband’s past is revealed to his wife in a most unexpected way.  Each vignette is given an ‘umbrella’ theme.

The  production features a very hard working and impressive cast of four fine actors- Alan Lovell, Dominic McDonald, Jeremy Waters and Briony Williams, who  each play multiple roles. This generally works though I felt that the show would have benefited from a second actress. As the play wore on it became increasingly different to decipher which  character she was playing.

The most appealing aspect of this production was the clever and unusual staging.

The thoughts and even at times actions of characters were conveyed/verbalised by other characters which grabbed one’s attention and was mostly effective.

Tom Bannerman’s set mainly comprised numerous irregular shaped objects which impressively converted/made for bedrooms, coffee tables and chairs, kitchen tables, bathrooms, mirrors bard and more…As an intriguing touch, thematic captions were placed on some of the boxes.

There were some cute, at times tongue in cheek, theatrical touches….actors changed their garb on stage in between scenes….which character would we get next? A character mimed going into a shower flagged by other characters. A  leaf blower was brought on to stage and powered up to indicate a huge storm.

My verdict. It was great to see such an ambitious work being put on stage but it still has a way to go… As intriguing as the individual stories/ journeys were, the play didn’t feel as if it came together as a whole very well. There was no strong, deep centre, no epiphany, no catharsis which I think a play of this ilk really requires.

The second Griffin Independent production for the year, co-produced with Arts Radar,  Catnip Productions and Hope Productions, Nicholas Hope’s FIVE PROPERTIES OF CHAINMALE , directed by the playwright, opened at the SBW Stables Theatre on the 17th April and is playing until the 9th May.  Performance times are Monday to Saturday at 7pm.