The
resistance to develop your parent’s behavioral patterns is a common
thread found in all. Normal idiosyncrasies one can learn to live with,
but when your father’s traits stem from control and abuse, the constant
fear of likeness would understandingly be a much heavier load.
Such
is life in John and Jen, a beautiful and compelling piece of musical
theatre staged in the Loft Theatre at Chapel off Chapel. Simple, yet
effective, the story focuses on Jen’s sisterly love for her little
brother, John and her fierce protection of him from their out of sight,
yet never out of mind violent father. When of age however, Jen flees
her family to discover college, leaving John behind to bear the brunt
of his domineering father alone. As a result of outside influences,
these two siblings invariably head into contrasted directions, clashing
in the process. When John however, fails to return from his ill-fated
direction, Jen is left to revel in guilt after failing in her promise
to protect him.
With
this as the powerful and conclusive first act, you wonder what story
there could be left to tell after interval. And that is the beauty of
this piece, the utter truth in the aftermath and the lifelong
consequences that follow. Still driven by anger and guilt at her
failure, Jen attempts to rewrite her past wrongs when raising her own
son John. What concedes however, is the worst kind of realisation, as
she begins to resonate the one figure she has continuously run from,
her own father.
Why
this delicate piece succeeds is the outstanding talent of the two
performers, Lisa Marie Charalambous and Chris Durling. Both move
effortlessly between each emotional change and bring far more to the
performance than their beautiful voices, continual energy and brilliant
character transitions. They create a beautiful and caring
brother/sister and mother/son relationship that all can identify and
find understanding with. Even with the enormous score, both worked
exceptionally well with the two musicians and the simple production
design only enhanced their performance in this intimate space.
It
was refreshing to see a musical where the love story between the two
characters was not romantic, sexual or cliché. This was a bond; a love
that is a given and one has little control over. Yet, this type of love
is unbreakable, no matter how hard people try and mistakes can be
forgiven for the right and sometimes, even wrong reasons.
Pain
hurts, yet healing hurts much more. And ultimately driven by this, a
very special piece has been created by two talented performers who are
in their absolute element.
John & Jen by Andrew Lippa
Venue: Chapel Off Chapel | 12 Little Chapel St, Prahran Melways: Map 2L Ref J10 Dates: 12 – 28 September Times: Thurs – Sat 8pm, Sun 5pm
2pm Matinee Fri 26 Tickets: $30 Full, $25 Concession, Groups 10+ and Preview (+transaction fee) Bookings: 03 8290 7000 or www.chapeloffchapel.com.au
Otello | Opera Australia
Shakespeare’s Othello – the classic tragedy of deceit, revenge, love, and jealousy... in essence, all the makings for the spectacle and drama that is opera.
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The
resistance to develop your parent’s behavioral patterns is a common
thread found in all. Normal idiosyncrasies one can learn to live with,
but when your father’s traits stem from control and abuse, the constant
fear of likeness would understandingly be a much heavier load.
