Lynn Belvedere

DEPOT THEATRE presents ALISON’S HOUSE by Susan Glaspell

 

ALISON’S HOUSE by Susan Glaspell was the 1931 Pulitzer Prize winner, an American classic play, that was inspired by the life and work of the American poet Emily Dickinson, and premiered at Eva Le Gallienne’s Civic Repertory Theatre in New York City during December 1930.                  

A newspaper reporter from Chicago, arrives at ALISON’S HOUSE and excitedly wants to learn the hidden secrets of Alison Stanhope, as her family packs up the contents of her house. Alison Stanhope, a very public figure, who was the country’s foremost poet, died eighteen years ago. Her house of hidden secrets, must be sold by the survivors, with the myriad inner dynamics of family controlled by the strict father, John Stanthorpe the lynchpin of the story who requires his children to obey without question, perfectly realised with a superb performance by David Jeffery. This three act play was written in 1930 and is set in Iowa, with its events occurring on what they incorrectly believed was the last day of the century, New Year’s Eve in the year 1899, just twelve months before the actual end of the 19th century on 31st December 1900.

An intimate performance space, and the cast make good use of the two interesting minimalist sets. Expertly directed with constant attention to detail by Julie Baz, she has collected together an amazing ensemble cast, providing a memorable night of live theatre. The era-specific costumes are elegant, and some are very heavy and one more than one hundred years old complete with bustle. All the lead performances are strong and memorable, but special mention to Tasha O’Brien (Ann the secretary) and Nyssa Hamilton (Elsa the destabilising sister of Alison) and Veronica Clavijo (Louise the controlling wife of the brother Eben).

This fascinating revival performed in two acts, is deliciously dialogue intense, all about buried passion, permanently controlling the narrative about Alison Stanthorpe, conflict and debate between family members. This constantly changing melodrama, deliberately reminds you of how much has changed, and how little has changed. To maintain their reputation all families keep secrets, “can you fall in love all at once”. Secrets kept, intimate papers found, love poems read, being a very brave woman to break with traditions and ignore societal expectations, women choosing passion, meeting and falling in lust with a married man.

Living in the 21st Century in Australia, we should be both grateful and thankful, that we live in more enlightened times, where women and men are equals, and that women are no longer chattels owned and controlled by men.

Production Stills by Katy Green Loughrey.

The Depot Theatre presents ALISON’S HOUSE by Susan Glaspell from 4th April until 21st April 2018.

Performance times – 8pm Cheap Wednesday, 8pm Thursday, 8pm Friday, and 2pm 8pm Saturday.

Duration two hours and thirty minutes, including one interval.

The Depot Theatre, 142 Addison Road, Marrickville, with on-site free car parking.

http://thedepottheatre.com/alison-s-house
https://www.facebook.com/thedepottheatre/
https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=338490&
https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/venues/the-depot-theatre
https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/alisons-house-by-susan-glaspell

Published by Lynn Belvedere

Once we were old enough, my parents took the whole family to the Sydney CBD cinemas every week. Thus began a lifetime interest, in going to the cinema every week, and became a passionate cinephile by watching all those very heavily edited ''Australian Film Censorship Board'' true cinéaste versions of brand new release ''Cinematograph Films''. Greater Union always gave my father (who worked in Cinema Distribution Exhibition) guest double movie passes, to every first-night ''red carpet Opening Night'' at The State Theatre Cinema at 49 Market Street. Up until his death, my dad always received ''two house seats'' for every Opening Night performance events at the Theatre Royal SYDNEY and at Her Majesty's Theatre SYDNEY. As a child, when mum choose not to go, I often went with him, to those live performance events. As a young child, I remember being taken for each new show, at both The New Theatre at 60 Sussex Street, and the Phillip Street Theatre when located at 150 Elizabeth Street, and for classical music concerts at Sydney Town Hall. = = = ★★★★★ = = = Being happy is a choice, and I have always viewed my life, as material ready be made into a series of amazing tentpole movies. My New Years Resolution is kept every year: ''Get to see/review five new live theatre shows each week, and get to see/review six new cinema movies each week'', plus is one of the Australian Cinema Pioneers, and apparently have seen far too much already, but always wanting to experience more and more each year. I am also able to do almost everything that I enjoy doing. Yes, I do have a great daytime job in I.T. as ''Software Design Project Manager'', PLUS each evening until quite late - - - Australian Cinematograph Films historical censorship consultant - product-placement consultant - mystery-shopper consultant - playwright, writer, author, director, producer, photographer, cinematographer, color-grader, subtitles proofreader - arts/ drama/ music/ film critic and judge, journalist, member FIPRESCI & FCCA & AFCA, member AACTA accredited film reviewer-critic-writer, accredited IMDB.COM critic-reviewer-author, projectionist, plus an innovative iconoclast - - - ★★★★★ LYNN BELVEDERE ★★★★★ - - - [usr 5] - - -