Presented by Leanne Marsland
Reviewed Saturday 16th June 2012
Ghoulishly painted and vacantly staring, Musical Director James Simpson takes his seat at the piano and begins, drumming a beat on the upright piano with his left hand. A heart beat? A pulse.
“Love is the essence of pure existence”.
Leanne Marsland’s dark portrait of obsession with, addiction to, and absolute hunger for love mesmerises the full house at La Boheme for the entire hour. You don’t want to applaud. You do not want to interrupt the fragile creature before you. And fragile she is, part naïve child, expressing the first stirrings of attraction with innocent, bewildered joy, and part wounded animal, lashing out violently at those who dare challenge her understanding of what it is to love.
Stylistically choreographed, but never feeling “stagey”, Marsland’s physical performance melds with her clear and expressive interpretations of familiar songs and fixated dialogue to paint a frightening picture of delusion. Her use of audible breath, particularly in moments of pain, is inspired, hinting at the turmoil bubbling underneath her more controlled exterior.
Simpson does not just take on the role of ‘accompanist’ to the action, but is ever-present in character, responding to and supporting Marsland throughout. He underscores the entire performance with sensitivity and absolute connection with the story. This is a duet, and Simpson rightly joins Marsland on stage for the final bow.
Director Gary Young has given this piece a clear and measured plot, though at about the 45-minute mark I started to feel that I was ready to see it finish. It is very difficult to continue to draw the audience in yet maintain the sense of slight discomfort and tension that permeates throughout. Marsland was undoubtedly successful in this, but especially after some well-placed and very well-executed comic relief, the piece should naturally draw to a speedier conclusion.
This is a small criticism of an otherwise exemplary piece of theatrical cabaret.
Reviewed by Megan Doherty, Guest Cabaret Fringe Critic, Glam Adelaide.
Venue: La Boheme, 36 Grote Street, Adelaide
Season: ended
Duration: 60min
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