Skip to main content

‘Card Houses’ // Harrison Mills and Anywhere Festival

 ‘Card Houses’, presented by Harrison Mills at Anywhere Festival, is a fresh Gen-Z coming-of-age tale. Shining the spotlight on the transition between adolescence and adulthood, the piece does not shy away from youthfulness, witty humour, and vulnerability, even diving into concepts of the ’emo’.

‘Card Houses’ delves into how young people “survived” during the previously unprecedented times of the pandemic with boldness and daring.

The cast includes Jules and Mason. Jules is a bold, talkative young woman whose strong opinions attract conflict like a magnet. Mason is a scruffy, easy-going young man that prefers simplicity and no friction. They have barely anything in common except their mutual friend, Georgia, and their age.

A cruel twist of fate sees these polar opposites locked down together during the pandemic in the city suburb of West End. With no escape, what will they do? Laugh? Cry? Be bored out of their minds?

The scenography by Ella Dickson was interesting and unusual. Walking into the venue the audience was met with photos and notes written all along the walls. For anyone that has lived with a roommate knows, these notes were passive-aggressive reminders to each other about closing windows, finding cash and where the food goes.

Directed and Written by Harrison Mills ‘Card Houses’ is the textbook definition of realism in immersive theatre. The audience was transported into the world by Mills with innovative writing and simple direction, a difficult task when creating an immersive theatre experience. Mills achieved the right blend of the two with simplicity and ease. 

Mia Foley filled the role of Jules with grace and hilarity. It is clear Foley is a talented and experienced actor, and shines through in this production. Foley’s facial emotions and gestures were perfectly reminiscent of a young 19-year-old just out of school. Mason, played by Cullyn Beckton, was intricate and reserved. Beckton warmed to this role throughout the production, culminating in emotional upheaval and giving the audience the sense of grief that layered this production and the pandemic. 

The production, masterminded by Harrison Mills, undoubtedly merits a solid rating. It forms part of the Anywhere Festival which continues to captivate audiences each year, showcasing a plethora of artists across Brisbane and the Moreton Regions.

Original Article

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Freshblood Festival - Vena Cava

Written By Thor Morrison Upcoming creatives need a place to experiment, to prosper, to explore, and even to sometimes miss the mark. It is essential that spaces that allow this to happen exist, especially in a world obsessed with perfectionism. The Freshblood Festival is an annual event run by QUT Student Theatre Company Vena Cava, focused on young writers and performers, and it does just that. It provides a space for the new and upcoming creatives of Brisbane and surrounds to experiment, have fun, and create really exciting performances. Held at BackDock Arts in Fortitude Valley, and running over two consecutive weekends, it is a massive endeavour Vena Cava have given themselves. 14 independent shows, two play readings, and 8 music acts ensure that Freshblood has something for everyone to enjoy, and shows the variety and scale of the Festival itself. Drama Dispatch was able to attend most of the second weekend, seeing a total of seven shows and a play reading, and was greatly impresse...
Post a Comment
Read more

‘PASHUN’ // TheatrePunk Co.

  What happens when masculine, feminine, and a touch of envy energy are amplified in modern society? You get ‘PASHUN’ by TheatrePunk Co.! ‘PASHUN’ is a comedic theatrical exploration of gender and relationships, infused with fantastic absurdist techniques. Written by Harrison Mills, it offers a unique night out that delves into the intersection of queer identity and the “straight minority.” Harrison Mills has skilfully interwoven absurdist techniques into the fabric of queer and heterosexual love, resulting in a profoundly thought-provoking experience. Throughout ‘PASHUN’, they masterfully employ stereotypes, drawing our attention to their nuances. From the hyper-masculine, reminiscent of an Andrew Tate figure, Sigma, to the unmistakable Starbucks-loving pink aficionado, Tiff, Mills has ingeniously crafted characters that evoke both love and disdain throughout the production. Under the direction of Joshua Price, the piece is minimalist but effective. The utilisation of packing boxe...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Picnic at Hanging Rock - Javeenbah Theatre Company

Written by Mark Rickell “The infamous picnic has become a faux Australian history that has haunted the Australian psyche for almost fifty years.” - Hunter Wall, Director This is the backdrop on which the story takes place, not that of the period in history, but in the present. In the effect of this story and what it means to Australians. Children study the text in schools, the name, and the mystery, is synonymous with Australian literature.  “Whether Picnic at Hanging Rock is fact or fiction, my readers must decide for themselves. As the fateful picnic took place in the year nineteen hundred, and all the characters who appear in this book are long since dead, it hardly seems important.” - Joan Lindsay, Author This adaptation of the text is extremely true to the original material, and serves as an excellent example of the power of theatre as a way of bringing stories to life. This adaptation, expertly staged at Javeenbah Theatre, is a triumph of storytelling. It is clear that dire...
Post a Comment
Read more