Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature of Love
by Brad Fraser
Red Stitch Theatre 80 Inkerman St., St. Kilda
April 19 to May , 2002
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
It is some years since we saw a production of Canadian
playwright, Brad Fraser's play, Unidentified Human Remains and the True Nature
of Love.
Although it dates a little, it is a witty, atmospheric and
frightening play a serial killer on the loose. Seven characters talk to us both
in isolation and in scenes together.
Fraser neatly inter-cuts fragments of dialogue from each
individual with pithy scenes from the urban middle class environment of
Edmonton in Canada.
Performances are uneven in this newly formed company, Red
Stitch. However, David Whitelyis particularly good as the acerbic, cynical and
very camp gay guy, David.I suspect his is the voice of the writer himself.
Brett Cousins is excellent and charming as Kane, the gauche
wealthy youth who has a crush on David. He is a talent to watch.
As Candy, David's housemate, verity Charltonhas a feverish
intensity appropriate for such a driven anorexic.
Vincent Milleris miscast in the vital role of Bernie,
David's married, violent and unpredictable friend. He lacks the necessary power
for the character.
Wayne Chapple's direction is neat and stylish, accommodating
the long narrow space effectively. Actors are seated in chairs spread along the
back wall. Nick Merrylees'lighting design highlights each in their various
monologues.
Some of the pop
culture references are out of date now but this could be fixed easily. Fraser
writes with intelligence and a sense of the dramatic tension. He uses the
serial killer almost as it might be used in a movie: to heighten off-stage
fear, sexual tension and suspense.
Everybody lies, says the play. Everybody is also out to get
what they want, often at the expense of others.
The complex and fraught lives of these 20-somethings include
Jerri, (Olivia Connolly a lesbian,
obsessed with Candy and Robert who is Candy's dopey lover (Daniel Frederiksen.
The hooker, Benita,(Kate Cole) is the least successful
character whose psychic abilities solve the serial killer crime rather too
easily.
Fraser writes compelling theatre and this production captures some of his power.
By Kate Herbert
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