The Sydney Theatre Company’s current play at its home venue is Wayne Blair’s production of a classic of the Australian theatre, David Williamson’s ‘The Removalists’.
The set-up to ‘The Removalists’ makes for vintage drama. To use a boxing ring analogy, at one end of the ring is Kenny Carter (Ashley Lyons), a young, rugged Aussie bloke, whose house and his wife are his everything, his castle. He has come home after a hard day at work, and is looking forward to another regular night at home. Kenny loves nothing better than sitting at home after a day at work, putting on the television, putting his legs up, and having his missus make his dinner for him.
At the opposite end of the ring is gruff, macho Sergeant Dan Simmonds (Danny Adcock). Sgt Simmonds is acting on a complaint of domestic violence made by Kenny’s wife, Fiona (Eve Morey), with the support of her big sister, Kate (Sacha Horler), lets himself into Kenny’s flat and with the help of his off-sider, Constable Neville Ross (Dale March), and removalist Rob (Alan Flower), oversees the removal of Kenny’s castle. Out goes the furniture…out goes the wife!
Blair’s production is an intense, passionate interpretation of Williamson’s ‘score’. His direction clearly brought out the play’s main strands, and ably mastered the play’s rare, successful mix of some very funny scenes sharing the same stage with scenes of hard-core violence.
The world portrayed in ‘The Removalists’ still has plenty of resonance in particular with its depiction of the cowboy mentality of some police officers, and in its portrayal of the irrational and violent way that people can behave when in a crisis.
A strong cast vividly brought the play to life. Dale March greatly impressed in the role which had the biggest journey, going from a naïve, timid Constable to a man who goes into a violent rage all on his first day of duty! Special mention also goes to Danny Adcock for his portrayal of Ross’s veteran, cynical colleague, to Ashley Lyons for his rough and raw Kenny, and Alan Flowers for his performance as the very assertive removalist.
Jacob Nash’s fluid set concentrated the action beautifully. The stage, comprised an elevated large floor-space, painted white, with fluorescent ‘station’ lights hanging above, and with a few stairs at the back on each side. The stage deftly transformed from a small police station into Kenny and Fiona’s living room for Scene 2 when the actors came on stage, bringing the furniture for Kenny and Fiona’s living room along with them.
Wayne Blair’s production of ‘The Removalists’ plays Wharf 1 at the Sydney Theatre Company until the 4th of April.