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
The last scene for instance, which is going to be pretty much the most important in terms of leaving an impression on the audience, was really disappointing. This has nothing to do with the script, but more so the direction and acting. The repetition of the probably improvised line “you smell”, by one of the school girls in this scene, although funny and entertaining, really spoiled the importance of the intended message. The director should have seen this. I don’t believe the director was very passionate about the deliverance of the play, more concerned with lighting and sound (quite impressive nevertheless), rather than emphasising the true significance and meaning that the performance should have conveyed.
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