FYRE Drama's 2011 production: ISLAND
1 Dec 11
Island is a modern, accessible adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tempest. FYRE's stylish production speaks to an elemental tradition in theatre. With simple suggestions of rank and place to suggest the action, it demands our attention, engages our imagination, and delivers a concentrated distillation of life and art.
If the departing audience's reaction is any guide, this play was an outstanding success in its own right, and all the more so with such a young cast. Bravo!
This play also marks a departure into more demanding works for FYRE drama. It was with some regret that participation in the drama group was limited to older youth this year, reducing the cast from 30 in last year's production of Tales from Outer Suburbia to the 17 youth in this play.
Sarah Butler's strong focus on developing solid stage skills has instilled high expectations in the players themselves, and this change in structure was partly driven by their desire for greater challenges.
The Tempest is often spoken of as Shakespeare's last work; the play in which, through the central character of Prospero, the deposed Duke of Milan, he reflects upon his life and art, and comes to some kind of reconciliation with what comes after.
The notable departure in Island is the expanded role of the spirits that do Prospera's bidding. Sarah has introduced a bevy of wonderful new characters to join wise Ariel (Samantha Warren). The spirits of fire, air, earth and water: Hera (Lauren Barnes), Juno (Lyndsay O'Dwyer), Ceres (Daisy Oke-Turner), Nephele (Isabella Moore), and Iris (Jessie Stapleton) - bring magic and light into this play more reminiscent of A MidSummer Nights' Dream.
Apart from performing distinctively in character, it was a joy to see these spirits convince us that they were visible or had disappeared, working together in choreographed action as they raised storms, tormented fools, made mischief or set things to rights on Prospera's command.
Sophie McGregor gave a satisfying performance of Prospera. It was a long, demanding part that she acquitted well with gravitas and an even voice that was very pleasing to the ear.
Lily Stirling was well cast as her innocent but good hearted daughter, Miranda and gave an excellent performances in this major role.
The depth of talent through the play was really notable, too.
Jesse Oke-Turner's Caliban was bold and credible, and developed more physicality in performance between the first and last performance of the play as, like the other actors, he probably found that you can relax and inhabit a role more fully as your lines become so well known, they no longer distract you.
Indy Nutter as the evil and pompous Antonio and Jack Bacon's Sebastion provided comic relief as the spirits thwarted their evil plots.
The controlled line and discipline in the choreography of the sailors played by Gabby Knight, Emily Rutherford and Candice McGregor was delightful to watch.
These actorsalso played character vignettes in flashbacks and comic sub-plots very well.
Olivia Harvey gave us a thoughtful yet razor smart performance of Gonzalo, the faithful councillor and the visiting royalty shipwrecked upon our island were ably played by Max Warren and Oliver Rodden.
Looking back at FYRE's production last year of Tales from Outer Suburbia, what has changed? Last year five of the older players narrated long passages at times and played eccentric, fully realised characters.
We've seen some of that this year as well, but what struck me this year was that this production was far more satisfying.
The production and action seems pared down. I found myself watching the group interactions more. It makes no concessions as a play just because it is performed by people aged 10-17 years. It demands your attention as a serious work in its own right.
Sarah intends to keep this work rehearsed with a view to taking it beyond the Valley next year.
I welcome this not only because it clearly deserves a wider audience – it certainly does – but also because the players can only get better with time. Many of the oldeGonzalo (Olivia Harvey)r thespians juggled exams in the week of performances, and with more confidence of the lines themselves, they have scope to further develop their parts and let their body language express their roles more deeply.
Once they do this, these players will be ready for the main game - the art of conveying character with the slightest gesture, stance or nuance – things hardly perceptible as acting at all.
This production is a major achievement.
Well Done!
Kerrie McLeod
Editor’s note.
Our thanks to Kerrie for a thoughtful and positive review. This valley abounds with talent.