Presented by Galleon Theatre Group
Reviewed 22 May 2014
This reviewer is in LOVE! – with Galleon Theatre Group’s latest show, the Australian premiere of Loves and Hours. Stephen Metcalfe’s hilarious, yet poignant, modern script and this entire production of it are picture perfect.
With no less than forty scenes covering such things as chapels, antique shops, the interior of a car, hospitals and airports (to name but a few) and a myriad of interesting characters, a professional company would balk at the prospect of putting this play on; let alone a community theatre group. But not Galleon, and certainly not director Erik Strauts.
With his uncanny knack of capturing the complexities of the human mind and our behaviours, this is the ideal fodder for Strauts. He knows exactly how to make us smile and face up to our own foibles. Strauts also knows how to cast and has assembled a top-class group of actors.
Rosie Williams as a young IRS auditor/singer in a rock band is delightful; ShelleyHampton absolutely sparkles; and Bronwyn Ruciak, playing two very different types of females, make ‘bitchiness’ and ‘self-consciousness’ an art-form.
As the quintessential Gen Y, stud muffin, toy boy, Simon Lancione impresses, as does Sharon Pitardi as his ‘older’ affair. John Koch is wonderfully funny as an ageing lothario trying to stay forever young; Adam Dalby displays insensitivity well; whilst Megan Langford and Laura Antoniazzi round the ensemble off nicely.
But it is Andrew Horwood as the protagonist sharing his mid-life crisis and journey of self-discovery with the audience who is the lynch pin and undoubted star of the show. He is absolutely spell-binding to watch and gives a masterful performance, working wonderfully with every other actor involved.
By dividing the stage into three raised sections and one floor space, using simple set furniture pieces and decorating with a lace motif, set designer Julia Morris has overcome the hurdle of the multitude of scene changes beautifully; with Luke Budgen and Warren McKenzie’s well lit areas adding to the effect.
Galleon and all involved with this production should feel immensely proud. Loves and Hours is quite possibly the best amateur comedy production this reviewer has seen this year.
Reviewed by Brian Godfrey
Twitter: @briangods
Venue: Marion Cultural Centre 287 Diagonal Road, Oaklands Park
Season: 22 – 31 May 2014
Duration: 2 hours 30 mins including interval
Tickets: $18.00 – $22.00
Bookings: Book through TryBooking.com online, email [email protected], or phone Joy on 0437 609 577. Limited cabaret-style seating available on request.
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