Dylan Horvat – Illawarra Stage – 20th July 2016, 3:51am
The month before Wollongong Council made the decision to sell the Phoenix Theatre to its founder Steen, the experienced director staged what was as far as he knew, his last show at the Coniston theatre space. The show chosen was an adaptation Steen wrote with Jayden Brett on the works of Edgar Allen Poe, originally titled Tales of Madness, but thankfully renamed with a much more appealing title Nevermore. The 80 minute play was split up into five chapters: Raven, Telltale Heart, The Fall of the House of Usher, Cask of Amontillado and Morella. Obviously a step in the risky creative experimentation direction, it’s unfortunately a risk that did not pay off.
Using the Theatre of Cruelty technique called “monologue for many”, the show consisted entirely of Poe’s poetry being recited by numerous actors, often with a main actor reciting the majority of lines with others saying arbitrary parts in the background. The language is understandably hard to follow enough as it is let alone with the lines being spread out randomly by a cast of 23, so any perceived story went right over my head. The play was best used as an acting showcase for certain actors, but only some. It was a shame that the play gained the likes of great actors such as Cristie Fagnano, Rebecca Faye, Natalie McConchie, Gillian Meers, Aiden Morrissey, Vu Moyo, Inga Silfr Jon and John West, but only had them act completely bland and deliver monotone lines of sporadic narration.
The show did have a few of clever tricks, including some lighting effects for lightning, the overall spooky dark atmosphere from the branches, lighting, candles and smoke, Styrofoam boxes imprisoning an actor and the final scene utilising a skull mask to a frightful end and a somewhat pleasing resolution with an ironic climax with Faye as the Raven. Other than that, a handful of actors had moments to shine. Arthur Tamer had a huge monologue toward the beginning full of charisma, Josh Chicharo provided some comic relief as a drunken jester and Kirra McGoldrick shone in her spooky atmosphere. However, the three most noteworthy performances came from Joshua Morel, who had probably the biggest role in the show and was completely captivating in all of his scenes, especially the finale; Bryson Grenfell who oozed of personality and his own face paint; and Troy McMullan, whose wicked villainy (especially that evil laugh) kept eyes glued to the stage.
The ensemble are pretty much all regulars at Phoenix Theatre and some of which have also been cast in the upcoming show Company of Dragons, opening at Phoenix Theatre on July 22nd also directed by Steen, his first show he’ll be directing in the space since he bought it. This show will be a very dark comedy, which is almost always a good way to win me over and I look forward to see what this show has to offer. While Nevermore may not have been my cup of tea, there was no denying the talent involved, even though they didn’t all have their chance to shine, but hopefully Company of Dragons will provide them with that chance.
Written by Dylan Horvat Photos by Peita
