 Left - Dallas Bland, Jess Brent and Adrian Flor
It might sound like a simple exercise to create a stage production of Rebel Without a Cause.
After all, you’ve got everything from script to costume design set out
for you in glorious technicolour. The only problem is, because Rebel
is now more an icon that a film, you also have to deal with truckloads
of audience expectation. Even if we can’t remember the details, we know
that Rebel was cool, brooding, and gave us the character that launched a thousand teen rebellions.
The question is, can an audience enjoy a theatre production of Rebel
on its own merits, or will we always be comparing it to the film? For
the most part, Free Rain Theatre Company had a convincing answer to
this question. As soon as the play began it was clear that there is a
world of difference between watching this story on screen and seeing it
happen meters away from your seat. The close atmosphere of the
Courtyard Studio, coupled with dim lighting and a minimal set, all
combined to create a tense experience right from the start.
But on to the question everyone is doubtless asking: how did the actors
handle this character-driven play? How was, y’know, the guy who played
James Dean’s part? For the record, this was Dallas Bland’s
first foray into stage performance, but that was never obvious. Of
course, it takes a few moments to adjust to a new Jim Stark when the
role is so defined by Dean’s performance. But Bland managed to
step away from that heavy legacy by concentrating on the character,
successfully bringing to life a confused, desperate, and at heart
gentle young man.
Jessica Brent’s Judy was also played with sensitivity and
intelligence, rising above the moments when this part could easily have
slipped into caricature. As Mr Stark, Tony Falla gave us a
moving combination of over-enthusiasm and frustration as a father
trying everything to connect with his troubled son.
Adrian Flor didn’t know it, but I waited eagerly for the entrance of Plato, Jim’s self-proclaimed best friend and arguably Rebel’s
most interesting character. His first scene seemed over-played, but he
soon hit his stride, handling Plato’s complicated traits - over-friendly
and unhinged, playful and desolate - often in the space of a few
minutes. Even Plato’s attachment to Jim, which lies somewhere between
love and admiration, was dealt with eloquently.
Anne Somes’ direction generally provided a balance between guidance and
allowing the actors ‘free-reign,’ although at times the performances
could have been more restrained, if only to allow more room to build on
the violent emotions Rebel works with. It’s great to be able to channel
those emotions, but if you begin with yelling, you’ll only have to yell
louder to create contrast. The difference in skill level between the
actors also jarred at times, but most members of the supporting cast
had strong moments. It was clear that these actors, especially Cameron Thomas as the menacing Buzz Gunderson and Zach Raffan as well-meaning youth counsellor Ray, appreciated the importance and impact of their roles.
The script was the only other area of concern. The audience remained
tense while the actors were following lines from the original, even
though we knew what was going to happen. But the atmosphere deflated
slightly with the more explanatory passages and scenes, apparently
taken from James Fuller’s later script. These felt like explanations of
the obvious, and took the power out of Stewart Stern’s sparse, punchy
original screenplay.
Despite these few flaws, the Free Rain production definitely does
justice to the 1955 film. And if anyone wonders whether a story that
old could still be relevant, consider the laminated signs in the
Courtyard Studio auditorium, politely warning us enlightened types that
‘simulated gun-shots will be used in the second act of this play.’ Even
in 2008, it seems we may still need a rebel or two to shake things up.
Free Rain Theatre Company presents
REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE
Venue: Courtyard Studio | Canberra Theatre
Dates: 1st - 17th May 2008
Bookings: 62752700
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