By Cat Jones, Red Stitch Actors Theatre
Where & When: Red Stitch Actors Theatre, July 25 until Aug
23, 2014
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: ****
Review will apear in full after publication in Herald Sun online on Monday July 28, 2014. It will then appear in print. KH
(L-R) Laura Jane Turner, Emily Goddard, Andre de Vanny, Jonathan Peck
The
stage is a perilous place in Glory Dazed, Cat Jones’ short play about an
English soldier whose war trauma drives him to bursts of violent rage.
Ray
(Andre de Vanny), a stouthearted, working-class Northerner, is so desperate to
win back his ex-wife, Carla (Emily Goddard), that he locks the doors to their
local pub in order to force Carla to take him back.
It
is a dangerous game that Ray is playing but he has no clear plan because he is
in a state of confusion and is driven by anger, fear and despair.
This
is a fine ensemble production with compelling performances from the four cast
members who explore both the danger and humour that bubble in the pressure
cooker that is the pub.
Greg
Carroll’s direction is bold and assured, ensuring that the action has a
powerful dynamic range and that the pace and rhythm have an almost tidal
variation.
The
horror of Ray’s war experience and the disintegration of his personality after
his homecoming, are the core of this story and Jones’ script uses this to
create dramatic tension, vivid characters and sharply observed, witty dialogue.
De
Vanny, is volatile and muscular as Ray, but maintains our sympathy even as he
throws Leanne, the barmaid (Laura Jane Turner), to the floor, taunts and beats
his friend, Simon, the publican (Jonathan Peck), threatens his ex-wife, or
tells a gruesome story about Afghanistan.
Goddard
captures Carla’s passion and bewilderment as she tries to reconcile her
feelings towards this damaged man who was once her loving, albeit flawed
husband.
Peck’s
Simon seems fine-boned and vulnerable in comparison with the stocky,
belligerent Ray, but Simon’s own suppressed anger makes him a formidable
opponent.
As
Leanne, Turner skillfully depicts a dim-witted teenager who is bemused by the
dramatic events and dysfunctional relationships in the bar, but who fears her
mum’s beating more than Ray’s rage.
Glory
Dazed is a disturbing portrait of a man broken by war and the havoc that he
wreaks on his friends and family.
By Kate Herbert
Ray
(Andre de Vanny), a stouthearted, working-class Northerner, is so desperate to
win back his ex-wife, Carla (Emily Goddard), that he locks the doors to their
local pub in order to force Carla to take him back.
It
is a dangerous game that Ray is playing but he has no clear plan because he is
in a state of confusion and is driven by anger, fear and despair.
This
is a fine ensemble production with compelling performances from the four cast
members who explore both the danger and humour that bubble in the pressure
cooker that is the pub.
Greg
Carroll’s direction is bold and assured, ensuring that the action has a
powerful dynamic range and that the pace and rhythm have an almost tidal
variation.
The
horror of Ray’s war experience and the disintegration of his personality after
his homecoming, are the core of this story and Jones’ script uses this to
create dramatic tension, vivid characters and sharply observed, witty dialogue.
De
Vanny, is volatile and muscular as Ray, but maintains our sympathy even as he
throws Leanne, the barmaid (Laura Jane Turner), to the floor, taunts and beats
his friend, Simon, the publican (Jonathan Peck), threatens his ex-wife, or
tells a gruesome story about Afghanistan.
Goddard
captures Carla’s passion and bewilderment as she tries to reconcile her
feelings towards this damaged man who was once her loving, albeit flawed
husband.
Peck’s
Simon seems fine-boned and vulnerable in comparison with the stocky,
belligerent Ray, but Simon’s own suppressed anger makes him a formidable
opponent.
As
Leanne, Turner skillfully depicts a dim-witted teenager who is bemused by the
dramatic events and dysfunctional relationships in the bar, but who fears her
mum’s beating more than Ray’s rage.
Glory
Dazed is a disturbing portrait of a man broken by war and the havoc that he
wreaks on his friends and family.
By Kate Herbert
Cast:
Jonathan Peck, Andre de Vanny, Emily Goddard,
Laura Jane Turner
Director
Greg Carroll
Set Designer Peter Mumford
Lighting Designer Rebecca Etchell
Assistant Director Spencer Scholz
Stage Manager Elizabeth Downes
Lighting Designer Rebecca Etchell
Assistant Director Spencer Scholz
Stage Manager Elizabeth Downes
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