The Old Fitz has another late show on at the moment. The current production is Michael McStay’s BRIGHT THOSE CLAWS THAT MAR THE FLESH.
McStay sets the tone for the play straight away. On a dark stormy summers night in the middle of nowhere, a very anxious man is preparing for the inaugural meeting of a new sobriety support group.
A mix of very unlikely people begin start wandering into the room, each with their own not insubstantial issues. Whilst the organiser tries to get their attention that they are actually attending a sobriety meeting, everything but sobriety is discussed. Each of the attendees have their bright claws that are eating them up inside, and act out big time.
During the course of the night, the activities of the assorted loopy characters include trying to poison each other with aging potions, conduct scientific experiments, fall in love with a baby, confront their respect fears, attempt a sex change and rehearse a non-existent production of Euripides’ The Bacchae, yet another use of the popular play within a play device.
The show is essentially played for its frenetic energy and madcap humour. The large cast that includes Sam Trotman, Zoe Jensen, Nick Masters, Meg McGlinchey, Sam Devenport, Laurence Rosier-Staines, Hayley Sullivan and Jack Angwin, revel in the play’s freewheeling spirit and ham it up to the hilt.
Jacqui Schofield’s costume design was in keeping with the play’s outlandish nature. Thomas Moore’s soundscape underscored the action.
BRIGHT THOSE CLAWS THAT MAR THE FLESH is a good fit for those theatregoers looking for a bit of theatre to raise one’s spirits as the winter season begins to take hold.
The Hermetic Theatre Company’s production of Michael McStay’s BRIGHT THOSE CLAWS THAT MAR THE FLESH, directed by the playwright, is playing the Old Fitzroy Theatre on the corner of Cathedral and Dowling streets until 11th June. Performance times- Tuesdays to Saturdays at 9.15pm and Sundays at 7.30pm. Tickets $25, Bookings 0409020119.
http://www.oldfitztheatre.com/bright-those-claws/