Presented by Moore Books SA and Holden Street Theatres
Reviewed 15 September 2016
Snakes and Ladders is the latest play by Tony Moore currently running in The Studio space of Holden Street Theatres.
The story begins in an intriguing living room set up with books coating most of the furniture, even crawling up the chair legs to the point of becoming arm rests. This intimate set up provides for the warmth of the production and draws the characters together in a space they look comfortable in. It is part of a home lived in by retired sisters Charlie (Joanna Webb) and Emily (Maxine Grubel) who are attending their hobbies of answering cryptic puzzles and reading romance novels when Charlie’s daughter Beth (Shannon Gray) arrives suddenly declaring she has left her husband.
The pace of the dialogue starts slowly with one small shock that acts as a spark that sets off long held secrets. Ideas of family, marriage and love are well tested through the generational contrast between the sisters and the daughter. Small secrets are predictable but successful tease for greater surprises that rush into the play quite swiftly.
The initial stutters from the actors smooth out into a sturdy performance. Grubel’s performance of Emily stood out, particularly during the raw climax. The usual composure and confidence she holds in character Emily is stripped back to an intense final two scenes during which she provides delightful emotional range. Webb’s Charlie is successful in the character’s awkward perfectionism and bounces the acts off Grubel nicely. There appears to be a strong familiarity between the two as shown with the wit and subtle glances during the quick sniping remarks. Gray’s outing as Beth provided good timing while nudging the narrative forward with questions and memories of happy marriages and family life.
There are smooth scene changes and minimal costume changes used effectively to continue the plot over a series of days. Regular word play and the minor character routines nicely assisted in building the rhythm and flow of the story.
Snake and Ladders is directed by Tony Moore, designed by Shannon Norfolk, and starring Shannon Gray, Maxine Grubel and Joanna Webb.
Reviewed by Alex Dunkin
Twitter: @AlexDunkin
Venue: The Studio, Holden Street Theatres
Season: 15th-24th September 2016
Duration: 60mins
Tickets: $16 – $20
Bookings: www.holdenstreettheatres.com
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