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Amerjcan playwright Richard Greenberg’s play THE DAZZLE (2000), which is currently having its Australian premiere season courtesy of Corvus Arts Theatre, is set in the early 20th century, and is a drama about a fractured relationship between two brothers which is put under unbearable strain when one of the brothers introduces a beautiful, graceful woman seeking refuge.
The heat was certainly on in this intimate theatre which only fits a maximum of fifty people. There was also a sense of unease, of disorientation, with the stage being a living room in a state of complete dishevelment, which we soon work out is an accurate reflection of the state of mind of its three characters.
The play is based on two real life characters, the, legendary Collyer brothers, who following their deaths in 1947 were found to have collected more than 135 tons of trash within their grand Harlem mansion.
THE DAZZLE’s rewards lie in it bringing to life very powerfully threej identifiable characters.
Steve Corner gives a good performance as Homer. At first, it is hard to work him out but soon we get a picture of him; obnoxious, and a bully to his younger brother who he resents looking after.
You feel like it is unsafe to be in the same room as him, My only reservation was that his performance could have been reined in, pulled back, by the director Jane Angharad, who should have judged this better. It is never good for actors to be shouting some of their lines, and it is even more untenable when performing in such an intimate venue.
Alec Ebert was good as Langley, a brilliant concert pianist with a fragile temperament and a naive nature. Ebert’s performance was very focused, understated and heartbreaking. On the spectrum, life has always been very challenging for him.
Meg Hyeronimus is great as the beautiful, warm hearted socialite Milly who comes to the brothers’ house looking for a safe home. To begin with, she falls for Langley but later her attention moves to Homer whose sight is failing him.
Jane Angharad’s creative team comprised Aloma Barnes apt period costume and brilliant set design, lighting design by Catherine Mai, sound design by Johnny Yang and dialect coaching by Tim Kopacz.
A dark, compelling psychodrama, THE DAZZLE is playing the theatre within the Meraki Arts Bar, 231 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst until Saturday 3rd December 2022. Performances are Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7.30pm. Running time 100 minutes straight through. Tickets $40 with concession $20.
Production photography Clare Hawley.