(Venue uncited) from 22 Jan, 1994
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
This review was published in Melbourne Times after Jan 29, 1994.
Lawyers, violent crime and court cases are meaty content for a playwright. Game of Dolls is written by Brett Melke and draws on his experience in legal practice. Andrew has an extensive history of felonies and psychiatric treatment as a result of being an abused child. He is accused of theft and rape but denies the rape.
Game of Dolls addresses the problems faced by his young female solicitor and experienced male barrister. This seemingly innocent youth has incontrovertible evidence against him.
This is a gripping story if not perfect theatre. The episodic TV drama form is not enhanced by clumsy direction. Scene changes seem interminable, much of the acting is mediocre and an evocative score by Lencon is misused to make scenes too melodramatic. A major problem was that the actor playing Andrew was unable to make this pivotal and complex role credible.
There were a couple of good performances. Kristen Moses is believable as the solicitor and Simon McGuiness gives a credible and detailed performance as the smug but competent barrister. Melke's legal background has created three-dimensional lawyers, but other lives remain ill-defined.
Kate Herbert 22 .1 94
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