MONEY SHOTS

Richard Pyros and Sophie Ryan in MONEY SHOTS. Pic Brett Boardman

The final production of the Next Stage Series 2011 at the Sydney Theatre Company can only be called an uplifting and inspiring experience. Not only for hard core theatre buffs but for everyone slightly interested in live theatre. The evening proves that one does not need exuberant sets and costumes to get the attention of an audience. The simplicity of the production allows full concentration on the plot, text and the actors. Sure, such minimalism could get tiring. Not in this case. Carried by the homogeny of the Residents acting troupe, the production is a gripping, shocking, tender, hilarious, perplexing and frightening eye opener. It is all about how money drives our lives. That could be depressing and devastating to watch. Not in this case.

The evening starts with HOW TO GET VERY CLEAN by Rita Kalneais. The play’s subtitle could easily be How to not comb a stranger’s hair. I have rarely seen such intimacy, despair and isolation on an almost bare stage. Julia Ohannessian is a startling revelation. Her warmth fills the stage like an ocean of candles. Cameron Goodall balances on a scary tightrope. At the end, one is relieved that he did not fall.

NO EXIT FROM THE ROOF by Duncan Graham is a painful puzzle about the impact of a unexpected job dismissal for a couple on the eve of their wedding day. Sophie Ross is delightful as the bride to be. That she has a devastating confession to make, one hardly can believe. Richard Pyros is the man on the roof with no exit. When he explodes into a onslaught of fxxxs he does it with the disgust and guilty conciseness we all have experienced at times. This is a truly discomforting play. A fearful reminder of how quickly the coin can turn and throw us into the abyss.

Tahli Corin provides the next surprise with her playful, lovingly giggling and devastating ending coming of age story THE ARCADE. I have seen Corin act and know that her complexity as a performer has given her the verve to accomplish this little pearl. Watching Zindzi Okenyo and Tahki Saul fooling around, testing each other and finding a way to the intimacy of love and sexuality they long for is as joyful as it can get. The gripping end leaves you baffled and speechless. No, we are painfully reminded of social injustice.

And there is DRILL DOWN by Angus Cerini. Incarcerated in a cage of eerie light Cameron Goodall unleashes a tour de force of questions with no answers, revenge with no chance to be successful and the eternal search for moral in a world of greediness and carelessness. Goodall’s performance nails you into your seat and leaves no chance to escape. A mesmerizing experience.

Sarah Giles directs these four mini plays with no compromises. Her feeling for timing, rhythm and focus on detail is impeccable. She dissects each situation and gives her actors opportunity to strive. She certainly deserves to have been honoured with the Richard Wherrett Fellowship.

The evening concludes with an unexpected mood change.

FIDDLER’S COIN is directed by Zoe Pepper, who also co-wrote the play together with the “Residents” and Brett Stiller. Where there was spellbinding intensity and concentration, now comic relief takes command. Really? Sure, the story about two brothers divided by overwhelming financial matters is loud, funny, satirical and brilliantly acted. However, in spite of all the fun, there is still space for reflection. Cameron Goodal’s transformation from Nick Cave to Ned Kelly is hilarious and a true show stopper. Zindzi Okenyo and Tahki Saul mutate their youthful spirit in the Arcade into the decadence and forlornness of a couple thrown from the shallow peak of a cash mountain into the drowning waters of bankruptcy.

All this said I only can congratulate the Sydney Theatre Company and The Residents on their ground-breaking work with this Next Stage Program. I could elaborate much more about these marvellous five plays. However, saying more at this point would spoil the surprise. Everyone with some spare time at hand should make the effort to go and see this production. It is utterly rewarding, no waste of time and money extremely well spent. MONEY SHOTS plays Wharf 2 Sydney Theatre Company until 15th October, 2011.

© Markus Weber

7th October, 2011

Tags: Sydney Theatre Company, Next Stage series 2011, MONEY SHOTS, The Residents, HOW TO GET VERY CLEAN-Rita Kalneais, Julia Ohannessian, Cameron Goodall, NO EXIT FROM THE ROOF-Duncan Graham, Sophie Ross, Richard Pyros, THE ARCADE-Tahli Corin, Zindzi Okenyo, Tahki Saul, DRILL DOWN- Angus Cerini, Sarah Giles, FIDDLER’S COIN-Zoe Pepper, Brett Stiller