Skip to main content

Review: When The Rain Stops Falling // Brisbane Arts Theatre


Written by Grace Wilson

Australian classics form the bones of contemporary theatre in this country, and revivals of these works always serve as a palate cleanser in an arts world that is continually evolving. Brisbane Arts Theatre’s revival of ‘When The Rain Stops Falling’ by Andrew Bovall is a welcome example of when Australian classics are given a hearty remounting with a strong sense of Australian spirit. The story itself is a multi-layered exploration of family trauma and how secrets, betrayal and love can span over decades and continents.

Direction by Hamish Chappell and Blake Young was a stand out with this work. Utilising the simplicity of the stage to help transform and transfer through continents and times was brilliant in establishing when and where the audience was. The dinner table was the centrepiece of this work, and Chappel and Young made sure this space was the space for heartfelt family discussions and raw, challenging arguments. The way double casting was also utilised by Chapell and Young added another level of intensity to this piece, supporting monologues that mirrored between old and young generations, and reflections of the past happened in real time. 

The cast itself varied in age and experience but together brought to life the main themes within this story. With quick paced changes between different decades and continents, each actor knew the stakes their character was facing and this was well delivered to the audience. Liam Wilson as both Gabriel Law and Andrew Price, gave a well rounded performance that was well paced and matured, showing a depth of understanding and characterisation throughout the entirety of the show. Claire Marchesi’s performance as Gabrielle York (Older) was another standout delivery, with poise and maturity that gave insight into the years of trauma that Gabrielle went through.

Set design by Scott Lymbery was minimal and simple, allowing for transitions between time and place much more quickly and allowing actors to make use of the stage as their own. Supporting the set design was lighting and sound by Zoe Power, which also assisted the quick movements across time and space. Of worthy mention is also costume design by Nick Scotney which very well showed a divide between generations and location, and helped establish connection between old and young versions of characters.

Overall, this production of ‘When The Rain Stops Falling’ was heartfelt and well rounded. It demonstrated an immense connection between ensemble and the way that Australian classics still ring true today and provide an eerie insight of what happens if we neglect the world and each other for much longer.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Medea - Queensland Theatre

Written by Grace Wilson From little things, big things grow. It’s a saying that is so Australian and so rooted in our culture. It inspires and it gives hope. Everyone knows of this saying and the song attached to it, but never have we experienced a situation where this saying comes to mind. That is until  Queensland Theatre’s production of Medea by Anne-Louise Sarks and Kate Mulvaney, directed by Daniel Evans. This adaptation of this famous Greek tragedy focuses on the perspective of the two sons of Jason and Medea. In the original myth, we see little to no actual story from these two young boys - so to see an adaptation from a frankly inaccessible storyline in the traditional drama was a bold and incredibly smart choice. To truly appreciate the way the playwrights took this traditional myth and flipped it on its head, a knowledge of the actual myth was required because the subtleties of references could easily be missed. The play ranged from blatant acknowledgments of the traditio...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: The Haunting - Tugun Theatre Company

Written by Jake Goodall There is nothing better than heading to the theatre on a cold & rainy night to watch a gothic play about a haunting, and Tugun Theatre's recent production of The Haunting proved there is still a space for horror ghost plays in the world.  Based on the Charles Dickens Novel (and adapted by Hugh Janes), the story follows a young book dealer, David Filde, when he is employed by a former associate of his uncle to catalog a private library, he finds an incredible array of rare and antiquated books. But as a series of strange and unexplained events conspire to keep Filde from his work, he realises that if he is to convince his skeptical employer that the mysterious phenomena he is experiencing are real, they must journey together to the very edge of terror, and beyond. This reviewer was lucky to see the West End hit production The Women in Black recently at the Playhouse, QPAC which set the bar for horror ghost stories, and with the resources available to them...
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