Wherever you are, go to Marrickville to see this powerful play. It’s a combination of high drama, belly laughs and psychological study.
The setting is a construction site where four tradies are taking a smoko. Jazza is a handsome muscular bloke who just wants peace and quiet. Chaz is a bubbly pest who keeps asking Jezza questions. The third is the downtrodden obedient Squirt, a name he detests. The fourth is Bazza, the bully – articulate, dominating, intimidating until….Wait! No spoilers in this review. You’ll just have to go to see what happens.
THE ROACHES AND THE BOOT was written by John Tsakiris. He is also co-director and assistant producer and he plays the role of Jezza.
Elyse Phelan as Chaz is absolutely engaging, comedic, quirky and adorable. We love her from the start.
Owen Hasluck is the unlucky Squirt, the one the bully completely dominates. Will he ever stand up for himself?
Holly Mazzola plays Bazza, the bully. Holly takes complete command of this powerful and complicated role.
All four actors present a tour de force rarely seen so closeup and intimate in the Sydney professional theatre world. In the small Flightpath Theatre space, the audience is right there on the construction site feeling part of the action.
THE ROACHES AND THE BOOT is ultimately a psychological drama of four different types of people. It is fascinating how each character deals with the bully. Which one will finally have the gumption to destroy the destroyer?
Congratulations to the entire team. Megan Heferen is co-director (with John Taskiri) and co-producer with Claudia Elbourne.
Mia Maccormick is Production Designer. Full marks for the costumes. It’s the little things Mia included that adds so much. The orange handkerchief poking out of Chaz’ back pocket bobs around like a tail. The orange at the top of Squirt’s socks keeps our eyes on him as he dashes around. The set is just right, not too much and not too little.
The extreme and continuous coarse language may annoy or offend some theatre lovers. It might exasperate some construction workers who wouldn’t like to see tradespeople portrayed as dolts. But, hey, this is a fantastic, fictionalised portrayal of a psychologically disturbed bully. It could be a corporate board room or a government office. Bullies are everywhere.
Until May 2 at the Flight Path Theatre, Addison Road Centre, Marrickville.
