Photo - Jon GreenGrace, Deckchair Theatre’s first production for 2010 in association with the Perth International Arts Festival is thought provoking and emotive. 29 year old film critic Grace flees Sydney for the Kimberleys in an attempt to escape a mentally unstable stalker. In the Kimberley she works as an eco tour guide for a crocodile farm and assists a runaway refugee before her stalker catches up with her. Intertwined with Grace’s story is that of her father, an anthropologist fascinated by the earliest inhabitants of Australia. Based on the novel by Robert Drewe, adapted by Humphrey Bower, and directed by Chris Bendall, Grace is a powerful piece about evolution, fear, human discovery and boat people.
The story is told out of sequence, although this is largely dropped by the second half. Three cast members (Steve Turner, Polly Low and Leroy Parsons) effectively play multiple bit characters, some better defined than others. Some, such as Grace’s two film going friends, are so over the top it was cringe worthy. Although intentional (one hopes), it rendered the scenes they were in impossible to take seriously.
Grace is littered with film references, and the back wall of the set is used extensively for video footage. Designed by Kirrilly Brentnall, the movie excerpts, news footage, and abstract views were welcome additions, but the use of film to signify the time or location was unnecessary.
The formidably impressive George Shevtsov plays Grace’s father John with a quiet dignity and presence on stage that few actors have. His voice compels you to listen and his character development was sound, successfully portraying a father who would do anything to keep his daughter safe.
Newcomer Ismat Akbarzada is solid as the escaped refugee, and the scene where he describes in his native language his trip on the ill fated “Siev X”, subsequent ‘rescue’, imprisonment and escape is powerful, made more so with the seeming indifference in which he states the events. Although some artistic licence has occurred, there are strong political messages within Grace, which are just as relevant in 2010 as they were in 2001 when the Siev X disaster occurred.
The audience never really find out what causes Carl Brand (played with conviction by Russ Pirie) to begin stalking Grace other than her “public” profile. Suffering from the delusional disorder erotomania he firmly believes that he is in a relationship with Grace, sending her letters, presents, and stalking her work and home. It is a sinister scenario, and disturbing for the lack of attention it receives today until someone is killed. There were two drawbacks with the portrayal of Carl; the annoying accent, and the final scene where I, sitting to one side, couldn’t figure out if and why the story ended that way. It felt like an ‘easy out’ to finish off the play.
Kristy Hillhouse as Grace was exceptional. Hillhouse managed to portray a woman who has reached the end of her sanity and emotional strength, but is able to put one foot in front of another to keep going and attempt to re build her life. Hillhouse brought emotional fragility to the character without being over the top and managed to go from an outgoing young woman living life to a hysterical, sobbing mess in a matter of seconds.
Designer Andrew Bellchambers has created a multilevel, multi functional set of sand, wooden floors and numerous entrance and exit spots. The costumes are simple, if a little too contrived, although I thought the use of bones and actors to represent the animals was an interesting invention.
Andrew Lake’s lighting design is effective, working well with Brentnall’s video work. Sound designer Kingsley Reeve provides an undercurrent of atmospheric sounds, whilst composer Ash Gibson Greig provides the impressive, eerie music reminiscent of a thriller film score. Sadly, the lack of air-conditioning, a hot night and stage lights meant it was all too easy to imagine the weather up north. Note for future audiences – dress light.
Grace is a hard hitting play with numerous diverse themes. It didn’t blow me away with powerful force, but it is a thought provoking piece that is uniquely Australian and worth seeing.
Deckchair Theatre presents
Grace
Adapted by Humphrey Bower from the novel by Robert Drewe
Director Chris Bendall
Venue: Victoria Hall | 179 High Street, Fremantle WA
Dates: 13th February – 6th March
Times: Tuesdays - Saturdays @ 8pm
Matinees: Wed 24th Feb & 3rd Mar @ 11am; Sat 27th Feb & 6th Mar @ 2pm
Tickets: $40 adult, $35 concession
Bookings: www.deckchairtheatre.com.au | 08 9430 4771