John Pollak

THE HANSARD MONOLOGUES : AGE OF ENTITLEMENT @ GLEN STREET

Theatre can be interesting sometimes because sometimes it can challenge one’s idea of what actually is theatre. THE HANSARD MONOLOGUES : AGE OF ENTITLEMENT which we saw last night does this. It a recitation of some selected parliamentary speeches in the plush Glen St Theatre in Forestville.

An impressive line-up of actors , headed by John Gaden, presented speeches by Abbott and his two Bishops , Turnbull Shorten and Plibersek and the rest of the gang.  It is stuff we have all heard before. Does it gain anything by being presented in a theatrical context?!

The characters come to a microphone, identified by the name appearing on the screen at the back of the stage. It is a minimalistic set , a large gavel and neatly organised volumes of books on a large table.

None of the actors pretended to be a Turnbull or a Shorten or Bishop… In this sense they didn’t really act.

There is no plot, no suspense, no unfolding drama , no comedic moments, no ending, no beginning. We all listened intently but there was scarce a wet eye or chuckle to be seen or heard.

Tragedy perhaps….listening to them out of their parliamentary  context, you get a sense that it is all senseless and surreal.

But is it theatre?!

You be the judge.

THE HANSARD MONOLOGUES : AGE OF ENTITLEMENT by Katie Pollock and Paul Daley, and directed by Timothy Jones is playing the Glen Street Theatre for a very brief run till July 31.

 

Published by John Pollak

John Pollak did Arts and Law at Sydney uni. He practised Law for a short while and went into business. He made too much money for his own good and today is not so much retired as having little to do. He plays tennis and carries the bags for his wife when she goes overseas. When prompted and badgered he does the occasional review. He goes to Ethiopia every now and then and where, with Professor McGuigan of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, he is bringing the Sodis Program for safer water to the Tigray region. When seen in public he is often hunched over a cup of coffee and a foccacio whilst immersed in a diabolical suduko. Or he is driving his wife to bridge.