ATONAL HEART : FOUR MONOLOGUES
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By Michael Switzer and James Cain Directed by Michael Switzer and James Cain Fullhouse Productions [1 hr 25 mins, incl. interval] at Meteor Theatre, Hamilton From 30 Sep 2011 to 1 Oct 2011 Dance Studio, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Hamilton From 4 Jul 2012 to 5 Jul 2012 Reviewed by: Gail Pittaway; Brendan West (Aardvarkian blogsite); Mark Houlahan; |
“What is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?” ALBERT CAMUS.
The taxi driver; The actor; The lover; The husband. One applauded, one rejected, one bound, one released. All suffering. But from the heart of suffering springs inspiration. Atonal Heart: four monologues by people searching for the key to forgiveness and happiness.
FULLHOUSE have been producing quality theatre in Hamilton since 2009. Recent shows have included King Lear, Death of a Salesman and The Miser of Mystery Creek.
2012 promo:
FULLHOUSE
Atonal Heart is presented by Fullhouse Productions - a Hamilton-based theatre company focusing on presenting dynamic high-quality theatre in the Waikato.
FOUR MONOLOGUES
Atonal Heart is a set of four monologues, each lasting about 15-18 minutes. The works are narratively unrelated, but thematically linked by the idea that men can be 'de-tuned' by the modern world and end up living 'atonally'. None of these people are quite normal, but in some fundamental ways each of them is just like you. Although Atonal Heart may seem a unrelentingly dark piece when briefly described, the monologues are leavened by streaks of humour that float the evening up from the bleak and into the sublime. This is local, original, soul-nourishing theatre to worm your heart on a winter's evening.
FOUR MEN
One applauded, one rejected, one bound and one released – all searching for... something. By turns funny, poignant, tragic, lovely. All these characters are suffering, but from the heart of suffering springs inspiration. Atonal Heart: four monologues by people searching for the key to forgiveness and happiness.
VIGILANTE ETIQUETTE
Tied to a chair, a man has to teach is captor a thing or two about vigilante etiquette.
TWO WEEKS NOTICE
A bedridden romantic opens up to the pain of lost love.
DOWN THE PLUGHOLE
In the life of a comedian, 'Laughter is the best medicine,' but what if it is the only medicine?
AND THE WINNER IS...
Whakatane boy Brandon, has just won best director. Now he wants to say something meaningful at his acceptance speech.
QUOTE
"What is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?" – ALBERT CAMUS
DEFINITIONS
Atonal - Music without a key and therefore without a secure root note to anchor the scale. In atonal music every note is equally 'right', discord reigns supreme and cadences never quite sound like they conclude.
Heart - Fundamental to love (in pop culture) and survival (in reality).
Four - The number of chambers in the heart.
Monologue - One actor alone on stage talking to the audience.
WHAT THE REVEWER SAID
[Atonal Heart had a development season in the Hamilton Fringe Festival in 2011. It was reviewed by GAIL PITTAWAY. Full review available on www.theatreview.co.nz ]
“All are talented performers in local theatre and this is an excellent opportunity for each to shine as writer, director or actor.
“Cain and Switzer are strong writers and they share the night evenly: ten minutes or so for each piece, with contrasting styles. The entire show is briskly managed and run with simple lighting and sets; clearly the work of a tight team.
“ ‘But all those words!' one audience member was overheard exclaiming, and yes, monologue is harder than ensemble with which to sustain the interest of the audience and divert and direct their minds. These chaps made it look easy!”
VIGILANTE ETIQUETTE
“It's a clever, funny piece with the most engaging villain you'll meet on stage or screen.”
TWO WEEKS NOTICE
“A haunting piece of writing delivered with immaculate pacing and intimate voice by Henry Ashby.”
DOWN THE PLUGHOLE
“Burrow gives this piece brash energy with just enough gaucheness for us to think he is an innocent idiot, and then hints of hysteria so we question his sanity.”
AND THE WINNER IS...
“It's a command performance, both script and actor.”
2011- Hamilton Fringe
Venue: The Meteor, 1 Victoria Street, Hamilton CBD
Dates: Friday 30 September, Saturday 1 October
Time: 6 pm
Duration: 75 minutes approx. (including interval)
Price:
$12 Full; $10 Concession; $8 Child; $8 Group of 6+
2012 - FUEL FESTIVAL
VENUE: The Dance Studio, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts
DATES:
Wednesday 4 July at 6pm + 8pm
Thursday 5 July at 6pm + 8pm
DURATION: 85 minute including interval
TICKETS
BOOK at TICKETEK (booking fee applies)
$35 Ticket; $25 Concession
Fullhouse Productions
www.fullhouseproductions.co.nz
Producer Nicolas Wells
Production Manager Hannah Wright
Stage Manager Hannah Wright
Props/Furniture Hannah Wright
Costumes Cast and Sally Switzer
Set Design Michael Switzer and James Cain
Lighting Design Michael Switzer and James Cain
Lighting Operator Alec Forbes
Marketing James Cain
Trailer James Cain