Bronwyn Fullerton

THE DREAMER EXAMINES HIS PILLOW

Scott Lee and Ainslie Clouston in THE DREAMER EXAMINES HIS PILLOW. Pic Adam Harrington

The Unpathed Theatre Company’s second production at the Tap Gallery, THE DREAMER EXAMINES HIS PILLOW, is a beautifully written play and a joy to watch.

Set in The Bronx, it was written in 1985 by American playwright and screenwriter John Patrick Shanley.  He won an Academy Award for his screenplay, “Moonstruck”, and has won several theatre awards including a Tony and Pulitzer Prize for his play, “Doubt”.

THE DREAMER EXAMINES HIS PILLOW is a story about love, betrayal, yearning and disappointment.

Donna (played by Ainslie Clouston), is a sharp-tongued and savvy woman from the Bronx.  Her boyfriend Tommy (played by Scott Lee), afraid of their intense attachment, has left her and slept with Donna’s 16 year old sister.

Donna arrives at Tommy’s sparse and sordid apartment – where he hides away poeticising about the dark depths of his subconscious – keeping company with his armchair and best friend, a refrigerator full of beer.  Donna confronts him about his ill-chosen infidelity, giving him an ultimatum – leave my sister alone or I’m gone forever.  There ensues a battle of the wits, an intense and cleverly written tug-of-war between their need to love each other and fear of commitment.

The dynamic between them is reminiscent of, but perhaps less violent than, Sam Shepard’s “Fool for Love”.  Donna threatens to visit her estranged father (Peter McCallum) to help bring Tommy his deserved revenge.  Their passion is nevertheless a strong underlying force.

After an impressive blackout set change complete with a vivid red curtain, Act Two takes place at Donna’s father’s house.  He is not pleased to see her, content with his scotch and one remaining painting of his once successful career that he abandoned after the death of his wife.  She asks him only to answer her three questions.  As the ice begins to melt between them, their stories are told with enchanting intermittent monologues.  Dad agrees to visit Tommy, either to reunite them or punch him out.

Act Three is the breaking in of Tommy’s inner fears, as Donna’s dad can see himself in the 27 year old.

The pace is kept up and the timing well chosen by director Vashti Pontaks.  She clearly understands the subtext, making the most of this great script.

The acting is very good, particularly by Ainslie Clouston, who gives a hypnotic performance as Donna.  Her accent, energy and timing ensure, as this is Clouston’s first theatre play, that we will be seeing a lot more of her.  Peter McCallum as the father, plays a gutsy, eccentric, alcoholic artist with commanding presence.  Scott Lee plays a rather naïve, but very interesting Tommy, the man who cannot find his soul.

With a great set design by Tom Bannerman and powerful sound design (especially the spine-tingling drums in the blackout), by Jed Silver, this production is inspiring and definitely worth seeing.

THE DREAMER EXAMINES HIS PILLOW opened at the Tap Gallery, 278 Palmer Street, Darlinghurst on Thursday December 12 and is running until Saturday December 21.

Published by Bronwyn Fullerton

Bronwyn Fullerton worked as an actress and singer for over 20 years after training with Hayes Gordon at The Ensemble Theatre Studios in Sydney in the 70s. She has worked for The Ensemble Theatre, Stables Theatre, Griffin Theatre Company, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Festival, Theatre-in-Education touring, Rocks Theatre at The Sailor’s Home, Balmain Loft, North Coast Theatre Co., Giniby Theatre Co., Bondi Pavilion Theatre and two years with the Marionette Theatre of Australia, including a tour from Alice Springs to Arnhem Land. As well as Film and Television (Chopper Squad) and Voice Overs, Bronwyn worked for the Gate Theatre Club in London and studied mime in Paris. She now teaches ESL English to foreign students and completed a Post-Grad in Film & Video at UTS in 2009/10.