When we were told that the first play we would see together as a class would be Tim Wintin's we did a little research on some of his work, and I found out that much of his work revolved around the main themes (due to his unique fascinations) of water and the serenity of drowning, and Australia and his home town Adelaide. So as to no surprise by the newly informed Tim Winton experts the scene of the play was set in a jetty off the coast of Perth, in Fremantle where three large boats sat together along a peer looking out to the audience.
The audience (mainly consisting of the eldely population of melbourne, all Putting their playroom memberships to good use) where introduced by a large and open scene of a very realistic jetty. Surrounding the large stage was the traditional wooden peer which can be seen throughout many Australian towns and beaches. As we sat in the play room we Analyzed the three distinctly different boats docked at the port: goodness, Sh1rley and MERCY. Laying, deceivingly still and for a short time what looked like a waxed figure was actually the star of the show, austalian actor, John Howard; not to be mistaken for our ex prime minister, although that would have given the play the spark it needed if we were to watch the ex PM standing on that rusty old boat cursing and speaking unspoken truths of the Australian way.
I have to admit that I, and many of those in my class did not enjoy winton's attempt at a successful play. Maybe it was due to the four main actors Baxter, Col, Dee, and Jackie all who I believe did not captivate the audience the way that I believe a true play should do. Maybe it was due to such an intricate and full on script, but I feel like their dialogue was too fast and hrd to catch, along with the fact that most of the story was not deep enough for us to truly connect with.
The dialogue was witty, quick and clever; but for some reason it didn't seem to stick. Winton's renowned talent of working with words definitely showed in the play but once the punch line was acknowledged the actors were already on to the next page. This shows that maybe Wintin's work should stay on the pages of successfully sold books rather than in the theatre where his intelligent banter could not be fully appreciated.
There however, are some occasional highs in the play that captured the attention of its audience. Wintin's fascination with drowning paid off as, in my opinion, the most interesting thing that came from this play was the sensual scene where the hauty English backpacker ( Dee ) fell into the water. I feel that they really achieved the graceful descend down the watery depths of the sea and the feeling as you drift through the still water. Held up by wire works, the actors give a very visually accurate performance up in the air, as they twisted and twirled through the "water". I would say that the light and sound department should get full acknowledgment for their work as their beautiful lights display of realistic blue light mimicking the beauty of the sun touching the water surface, along with the eerie sounds of the water rushing through your ears all add to the captivating scene and the most capturing moment of the play.
All in all I think the play was too broad and didn't have enough of a story to really hook the audience in. There wasn't really a high point and not a real story line, but just a story about a story. Maybe Tim Wintin should stick to books, as I feel his story could have been successful if it's words could be captured, remembered and appreciated in a book, rather than crammed into a two and a half hour play where the audience strains to hear and retain the clever dialogue he is famous for. I would give it four out of ten.
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