Presented by You’re Dreaming
Reviewed Thursday 15th November 2012
This play tells the story of Kara and Rach, who are alike as chalk and cheese. Opposites, we are told, attract, and that happens here. Rach goes to the pool to float and see how long she can hold her breath. Kara goes there to swim, a string of lifesaving awards attesting to her skill. She sees Rach and thinks that she is drowning, so rescues her, against her will. She later bumps into Rach as she is walking without looking carefully where she is going. The talk and begin a relationship, with Rach soon asking Kara to move in with her.
At first, all goes well, until Rach feels that Kara worships her, whereas those feeling are not fully reciprocated. Rach tries to pull away and gain a little distance by working late. The relationship deteriorates and when Kara accepts Rach does not feel as strongly about her as she does about Rach, she declares the affair over, sending Rach into a desperate attempt to gain control and keep it going. Too late she realises what she had, and had thrown away through fear of commitment. Although this play involves two young women, it could just as easily be two men, or a man and a woman. It is about relationships and those are universal.
Nazaree Dickerson plays Kara, a painter and somebody who freely expresses her emotions in simple terms. Dickerson gives her character a great warmth and enthusiasm for life, completely believable as a person who wears her heart on her sleeve and invests everything in a relationship.
Ruth Fallon plays Rach, who is a government child protection worker trying hard to rise through the ranks. Her job is her life and always comes first. Fallon presents a remote woman, self centred and unable to let her emotions free. Fallon’s convincing characterisation will, I am sure, remind you of people that you know.
Together, Dickerson and Fallon create some excellent moments, some filled with sexual electricity, some of a gentle loving togetherness, and others of fiery anger. They area great pairing and are totally captivating as the two mismatched lovers. There is a third performer on stage and that is Michaela Burger, more of whom later, who is an equal part of the performance as Dickerson and Fallon.
Written and Directed by Michele Saint-Yves, the play is a series of short scenes presented in Brechtian style, with music between each scene. Saint-Yves steers the action and emotional journey of the two women with a sure and steady hand. The music is provided by Composer, Michaela Burger, accompanying her singing on several very different instruments: keyboard, guitar, or cello. Her music is atmospheric, even ethereal, and contributes extensively to both the ambience and the narrative of the play.
Wendy Todd’s set and costumes are effective. Her use of small aquariums around the set keeps the swimming pool motif in mind, but leaves plenty of open space for the performers, and there is minimal furniture. Sue Grey-Gardner provides another of her well developed lighting designs, giving different emphasis to the set at various times, and Jeanne Hurrell’s sound design is subtle and adds yet another layer.
This is yet another good reason for a visit to the intimate Bakehouse Theatre, but be quick as this is only on for a short time.
Reviewed by Barry Lenny, Arts Editor, Glam Adelaide.
Bakehouse web site
Feast web site
Venue: Bakehouse Theatre, Angas Street, Adelaide
Season: to Saturday 17th November
Duration: 1hr 15mins
Tickets: adult $25/conc $20
Bookings: here or at the door if seats available
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