With his play PUNK ROCK Belfast playwright Simon Stephens places his players at a delicate time in their lives,- they are on the verge of completing their school years, and are about to take that tough plunge into adult lives. There is an intensity to everything: their sexuality, their hopes/ideas/dreams for the future, the pressure coming from peers/parents, and so much more….
It represents fertile ground for engaging, provocative drama. And Stephens makes the most of this by filling the stage with an eclectic group of characters and featuring intriguing dynamics taking place between them. A perfect foundation for very experienced director John O’Hare (one of three directors of the acclaimed O’Punksky Theatre Company) and his graduating students to work from.
The troupe have come up with an engrossing night at the theatre as they generate plenty of heat on the compact Bondi Pav stage, transformed into a school library, where the students congregate between classes.
The cast of eight fully inhabit their characters-some of which will bring back some not so much pleasant memories of one’s own schooldays!
Jarryd Clancy is chilling as the brute of a bully masking a plethora of insecurities as Bennett. Chloe Schaefer plays his pandering girlfriend Cissy who , at times, gets caught up in his maliciousness.
Natalie Freeman convincingly doubles up as Bennett’s younger sister Lucy and psychiatrist Dr Rachel Harvey.
Adrian Betros gives a strong performance in the role of Chadwick, the prime target of Bennett’s venom and abuse, who somehow manages to keep his body and soul together, mainly due to his high intellect and ability to exercise detachment.
This is not the case for his troubled colleague, William, astutely played in one of the central roles by Jordan Schutt, whose mental illness escalates, as it often does, with the approach of adulthood.
William has feelings for provocative new student Lilly, played with verve by Heidi Baleisis, who at first encourages him but then spurns his attentions and instead chooses school sports hero, the cool Nicholas, deftly played by Taddeh Vartanians, which inflames Williams’ inner turmoil.
Alia Lievore subtly plays the sensitive, protective Tanya who tries to keep the different factions at a safe distance.
A hard edged, rock soundtrack complements the action.
Recommended, there are two further chances to see this production of PUNK ROCK. The play will be performed tomorrow, Saturday 27th September, at 2pm and 7.30pm at the Bondi Pavilion Theatre,