Presented by Venture Theatre Company
Reviewed 16 May 2015
Normally known for their light-hearted plays and out-and-out comedies, Venture Theatre Company is tackling something much harder with Charlotte Hastings’ powerful prison drama The Enquiry.
With themes of abuse, child killing, and even homosexuality, abundant, this story of the bashing of a female prisoner incarcerated for killing her disabled baby would be no walk in the park for a company specialising in this kind of drama. Venture’s production under the guidance of Luke Wagner doesn’t do too badly, but has a few stumbles and trips along the way.
Wagner has a passion for this play and most of the time it shows: there is some blocking issues stage left in Act Two, but a smallish stage does not help this; and some, what should be beautifully tense, moments are rushed. He gets full marks however, for his “institution green” set (governmental bureaucracies would love him), whilst Leanne Albers fills it with the appropriate government issue attire.
The cast vary drastically from the very good to those who should be serving Life in prison for bad acting. Lucy Marshallsay as the Assistant Governor is at the top of the acting pile with her fine portrayal of sympathetic authority, showing compassion whilst still adhering to the rules. As the battered child-killer, Kate, Cherie Murdoch is powerful in her silence, giving a nicely sustained performance throughout.
Valerie Lane’s Marcy is delightful and makes for some welcomed light relief: Kristy Mundy is ideal as Officer Collins, as is Alexandra Aubrey as the secretary; and full marks to Emma Kinlock as inmate Gow, who has the most realistic histrionics and seizure this reviewer has seen in an amateur production for a while.
The role of the prison Governor is a hard one, requiring the actor playing her to dominate the stage for, at least, ninety five per cent of the play, and a monumental task: one that Tess Snape does not always achieve. After a powerful entrance full of throaty confidence, Snape seemed to fluctuate between assuredness of character and insecurity of lines. This unsureness unfortunately slowed the action down – something that this rather wordy play did not need.
Overall, it was good to see a community theatre company straying out of their comfort zone, and doing quite a commendable job.
Reviewed by Brian Godfrey
Twitter: @briangods
Venue: Trinity Uniting Hall Cnr William Road and Ramsgate Avenue, Christies Beach
Season: 15 – 23 May 2015
Duration: 2 hours 30 mins including 2 intervals
Tickets: $15.00 – $17.00
Bookings: 0487 772 273 or [email protected]
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