Away A Critical Review

The performance of Australian play Away performed by the Curtain University drama students was certainly entertaining. Some of the performances by certain cast members were quite remarkable. There is however many reasons that leave me personally, very sceptical on the success of the portrayal of the subject matter. On closer critical deconstruction of the script I felt as though many themes the play has the potential to express were overlooked. It became apparent to me that the central issue or theme intended in this play, or at least one of them, was the frustration and sorrow felt by the character of Tom due to his terminal illness and desire to do certain things before passing away. Of course this was mentioned and touched on throughout the play – being in the script and dialogue – but I didn’t really feel that the dramatic meaning or importance and significance was achieved. None of the characters, on this point, (perhaps with the exception of Tom’s father) really successfully conveyed the full potential that this conflict could of created. I feel that a lot of the drama was slightly trivialized and overlooked, with more concern being focused on light humour and spectacle (use of lighting and