Theatre can be interesting sometimes because sometimes it can challenge one’s idea of what actually is theatre. THE HANSARD MONOLOGUES : AGE OF ENTITLEMENT which we saw last night does this. It a recitation of some selected parliamentary speeches in the plush Glen St Theatre in Forestville.
An impressive line-up of actors , headed by John Gaden, presented speeches by Abbott and his two Bishops , Turnbull Shorten and Plibersek and the rest of the gang. It is stuff we have all heard before. Does it gain anything by being presented in a theatrical context?!
The characters come to a microphone, identified by the name appearing on the screen at the back of the stage. It is a minimalistic set , a large gavel and neatly organised volumes of books on a large table.
None of the actors pretended to be a Turnbull or a Shorten or Bishop… In this sense they didn’t really act.
There is no plot, no suspense, no unfolding drama , no comedic moments, no ending, no beginning. We all listened intently but there was scarce a wet eye or chuckle to be seen or heard.
Tragedy perhaps….listening to them out of their parliamentary context, you get a sense that it is all senseless and surreal.
But is it theatre?!
You be the judge.
THE HANSARD MONOLOGUES : AGE OF ENTITLEMENT by Katie Pollock and Paul Daley, and directed by Timothy Jones is playing the Glen Street Theatre for a very brief run till July 31.
