Who's Afraid of the
Working Class? written by Andrew Bovell, Christos Tsiolkas, Melissa Reeves,
Patricia Cornelius
Melbourne Workers'
Theatre
Trades Hall Theatre
until May 23, 1998
Reviewed by Kate Herbert on or around April 30, 1998
In an era when our definition of 'neighbours' is a
television soap, a play about human isolation, self-absorption and the loss of
community support is a tragic indictment of our system. The disintegration of
the family and the 'every man for himself' behaviour has all but decimated our
sense of community.
Who's Afraid of the Working Class? is a grim portrayal of
contemporary urban life. It comprises a collage of loosely connected stories by
four commissioned writers (Andrew Bovell, Christos Tsiolkas, Melissa Reeves,
Patricia Cornelius) for Melbourne Workers' Theatre.
Of the 18 characters only four have jobs: two police, one
prostitute and an insurance salesman. It might better be called Who's Afraid of
the Workless Class?
MWT has generally developed light, funny, brazen shows that
celebrate adversity with music and satire. In this moving and provocative
production, there are laughs and music but the writers work on common themes
about the disenfranchised underclass created by insensitive government policies
and shrinking job market
We witness a desperate family who steal from each other and
have secret lives.(Money: Cornelius) Two child runaways, whose mother has
endangered their lives in order to keep her abusive boyfriend feature (Trash:
Bovell). Two teenage of migrant families disguise themselves as private school
girls to shoplift glitzy dresses. (Dreamtown: Reeves)
The most disturbing and potentially offensive characters are
from Tsiolkas, a novelist now writing for theatre. The show opens with another
grotesque monologue by a youth who has obsessive sexual fantasies about Jeff
Kennett. (Bruce Morgan) Tsiolkas defies political correctness, making an
aboriginal salesman the racist. (Glen Shea)
The writing is rich, provocative and often poignant and the
splendid ensemble plunge into the emotional pond with commitment. As Reeves'
shoplifters Daniela Farinacci, Maria Theodorakis are hilarious. As Bovell's
runaways Farinacci and Morgan are a sweet and doomed pair of step-siblings
yearning for a loving home.
Theodorakis, as the fraught mother, provides a bitter-sweet
monologue about caring for a dying man. A cameo highlight was David Adamson as
Reeves' pathological radio caller.
Director, Julian Meyrick has skilfully interwoven 21/2 hours
of engrossing material with stylish cross-overs and swift scene changes. To
suggest some editing would be picky. The whole is enhanced by discreet lighting (Paul Jackson), simple design (Greg
Clarke) and evocative music by Irene
Vela played by double bassist and cellist. This really is a fine and
challenging work from the working class.
KATE HERBERT
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