They say that timing is everything, and no-one would agree with that statement more than Fremantle Theatre Company – the newest theatre crew to hit the Perth scene. The fates aligned for Artistic Director, Renato Fabretti who created this company and produced The Other Place with a relatively short turn around. Chris Edmund was supposed to be in Dublin when he became grounded in Perth – he directs this show with the exuberance of someone reborn – channeling his enforced sabbatical into a nuanced staging. Fabretti found and repurposed Victoria Hall – a stunning 1897 building in the heart of Freo – that now boasts a laneway bar entry, soaring high ceilings, and proscenium arch stage. It’s all very grand, and sends a clear message – theatre is back in a big way!
Of course, perhaps the most fortuitous event for FTC was the ‘grounding’ of international stage and screen star, Kate Walsh. The proactive Walsh – who has featured on Grey’s Anatomy among other well-known titles – gives a gutsy, impassioned performance, and it’s clear she does in every role she plays. In fact, all of the actors are brilliant – the cast compliment each other perfectly, as if they’ve been working closely for years. The pent up energy from these remarkably creative people is palpable onstage – the production heaves with the compression of many years into a matter of months.
For an inaugural show, Sharr White‘s sharp psychological drama packs a punch! Featuring an unreliable narrator, twists and turns, and shocking revelations, The Other Place is an unforgettable piece. Edmund channels the tension of 2020 and funnels it onto the stage. The audience is seated either side of a long catwalk stage rendered as a jetty, complete with a sturdy base but crumbling at the end. Lawrie Cullen-Tait‘s set design serves as a visual reminder of the physical ‘other place’ – a Cape Cod home, and a metaphorical one that appears robust but proves to be falling apart at the edges. The audience get up close and personal, with every seat able to witness the nuances of the performance. As there are seats on either side of the stage, the audience are also on show – furtive glances at shocked moments flicker across the stage as the audience shares an intimacy they might not have been expecting.
Juliana (Walsh) navigates her declining mind as early onset dementia ravages her memories, paranoia, and sense of self. She is slick and professional but as the disease progresses, her performance shakes – the slickness of her smile and conviction wavers. Walsh commits wholly, her development of Juliana is nothing short of a tour de force. Dalip Sondhi is the perfect counterpoint to Juliana’s instability as her long suffering husband, Ian. He remains calm, yet his frustration comes out when pushed. As the one who remains and doesn’t suffer from a breakdown, Sondhi expresses his pain in a heart-wrenching and delicate performance which is perhaps the most nuanced of all the players involved. Perth theatre lovers will recognise Mararo Wangai and Lucy Kate Westbrook as the remainding cast who both provide touching moments. With only four people in the show, each character must be distinct, and they accomplish this with a strong sense of character – each with a rich backstory.
The Other Place truly is a grand way to launch a theatre company – it’s a gutsy show that will remain with the audience long after they’ve left the building. With gritty, powerful performances, evocative set and lighting design, and impressive production values this debut has cemented its place in the Perth theatre scene. It’s an intelligent and delicate show played with just enough gusto to give it traction and not lose any of its subtlety – an impressive debut. The Fourth Wall cannot wait to see what Fremantle Theatre Company does next.
Review | Laura Money
WHEN: 14th October – 8th November 2020 | 2pm & 7pm
WHERE: Victoria Hall | Fremantle
INFO: Tickets $86 – $130 | Duration 85 mins | No interval | Total lockout | Recommended 15+ | Adult themes, mild coarse language, smoke and haze effects, warnings: dementia and mental health
LINK: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/Shows/Show.aspx?sh=THEOTHER20
The Fourth Wall 