Left - Roman Vaculik and Jude Henshall. Cover - Cameron Goodall, Terence Crawford and Lizzy Falkland. Photos - Shane Reid
The State Theatre Company has broken the bonds of traditional theatrical fare and forayed into a brave new world with its latest show Attempts On Her Life. The result is a fresh and luminous production that shines brightly in this company’s repertoire.
This is a modern, brash and innovative commentary on modern society – a
show that poses more questions than answers. The complexities and
mysteries of the darker side of our 21st century society are exposed in
an edgy and exciting production.
Martin Crimp’s post-modernist piece is a sinister murder mystery
in which the central character remains elusive. Anne, Annie, Anya is
the mystery woman. Apparently she is dead and the Attempts On HerLife
are attempts to resolve the ambiguity of her life and death – her
feelings, thoughts, actions, reasons for actions and motivations. In a
series of 17 playlets within the play “her” life reveals much that is
shadowy and unanswered.
The play also reveals the underbelly of the 21st obsession with the
material world. Who is the villain in this piece? Is it really Anne,
Annie, Anya or rampant consumerism and the alienation that ensues in
this technological age? These are pertinent questions in times of
global media propaganda, advancing technological communication,
terrorism, and the world’s depleting natural resources.
A strong ensemble cast performs the montage of captivating playlets, seamless under the astute direction of Geordie Brookman. In a strange, but not unappealing way, the actors are almost overshadowed by the magnificent set, lighting and sound designs.
Pip Runciman (designer), Geoff Cobham (lighting), and Andrew Howard
(sound designer/composer) have created a dystopian world with a
warehouse style set that pulsates with a menacing life of its own.
Brookman has brilliantly peopled this set, creating a sense of
surprise and suspense that enhances the feeling of a rollercoaster of
modern-day obsessions. Mobile phones, answering machines, computers,
airport lounges and more all take on a chilling estrangement.
This play leaves you with more questions that answers, but isn’t
that true of the society in which we live right now? Is Annie victim or
perpetrator? How well do we know anyone on the fringe of our lives?
What exactly is threatening our world right now?
This is provocative theatre and if it has no answers then it is at
the very least provoking us to seek them! This is exactly the role that
great theatre plays in our society.
The State Theatre Company has done some risky business
taking on this bold production. Let’s hope that audience members turn
off mobile phones and plasma screen tvs, switch on answering machines,
and reach for their credit cards to richly reward this company’s
choice.
State Theatre Company of South Australia presents Attempts on her Life By Martin Crimp
Venue: Space Theatre Dates: 1 - 23 August 2008 Evenings: Thu - Sat, 7 - 23 Aug 7.30pm - Adults $60, Conc $55 Sunsets: Mon - Wed, 6 - 20 Aug 6.30pm - Adults $55, Conc $50 Matinees: 16 + 23 Aug 1.30pm - Adults $55, Conc $50 Bookings: BASS
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