Written by Daniel
Keene, Patricia Cornelius, Irene Vela, Melissa Reeves.
Melbourne Workers'
Theatre
Brunswick Town Hall until June 8, 1997
Reviewed by Kate
Herbert around May 24, 1997
It is always
interesting to see a return season of a successful show such as Little City by
Melbourne Workers' Theatre.
The first time round, in December last year, coincided with
the year of the election of state and federal Liberal governments and the
subsequent cutting of services, schools, welfare, hospitals, child care and
libraries. The climate was ripe for such a consciousness raising show.
A second viewing did not rouse me to political revolution to
the same degree but this is no criticism of the show. It still maintains its
passionate outcry for equity and humanity from government.
Little City is really an opera. It is a provocative concept
which is manifested in the rich collaboration between the 50 voice choir Canto
Coro, eclectic composer Irene Vela, subtle musical director Mark Dunbar and a
visionary director, Renato Cuocolo (IRAA Theatre).
The text (by Daniel Keene, Patricia Cornelius, Irene Vela,
Melissa Reeves) is a simple, poignant, allegory drawing on two 1973 situations:
the raiding of a people's "campamento" in Chile and a Greek student
uprising.
In this global, historical context we cannot be complacent
about our cosy lifestyle. Totalitarianism can sneak up on us in a nanosecond.
Never mind the Ides of March, beware the Witch from Ipswich.
The narrative deals with a drowned child whose death
symbolises government carelessness. The grieving mother demands services,
dignity and revolution. These ordinary people barricade themselves into their
Town Hall, roused to action and under siege like the Chileans.
The story was much clearer this season, even though no new
text has been added. The moving sea of singers who are the set design gives the
piece an abstract quality and allows the tale to be told in a non-naturalistic
mode. The piece does not have the same edginess and driven quality as it did
the first time but, just like the rebels in the Little City, it is difficult to
stay in a state of revolt forever. One needs a rest from the adrenalin and the
pain.
Vela's music is stirring and impassioned. Ronaldo Morales as
the sceptic, Deanne Flatley as grieving mother, Penny Glass, the hard-liner,
Glenn Haydn, the cynical drunk, are touching as are soloists, Jeannie Marsh and
Gioconda Vatcky.
The moving sea of singers becomes the set design in the
hands of Cuocolo responding to the emotional levels of the tale. The story
seemed clearer this season. It lacks the original edginess but, like the rebels
in the Little City, it is difficult to stay in a state of revolt forever.
KATE HERBERT
No comments:
Post a Comment