TIGHTER THAN AN XS ARGYLE ON XXXL GENT |
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) Written by Sam Berkley. Directed by Edward Peni Catalyst Theatre Company at Musgrove Studio, Maidment Theatre, Auckland From 17 Feb 2010 to 27 Feb 2010 Reviewed by Joanna Davies, 18 Feb 2010 |
My initial thought was, “There’s no way West Auckland would have a Cardigan Appreciation Society; this can’t possibly work.” Then I remembered my former neighbours in Glen Eden. And by heck, as a play TWACAS works as effortlessly as Nana knitting for the troops.
Catalyst Theatre Company (the folks behind 2008’s A City of Souls) has stepped it up a notch to present TWACAS: The West Auckland Cardigan Appreciation Society. It’s company-member Sam Berkeley’s writing debut and I have to say (not without a pinch of jealousy), the man has one hell of a gift.
His tale of five Westie oddities’ quest to fit in (somewhere)is filled with themes of friendship, secrecy, jealousy and quality buttoned knitwear. And it’s hilarious – just ask the belly-laughing audience.
The characters could easily seem unsympathetic, but the cast’s impeccable timing combines with magnificent scripting to make that impossible. How can you not love a bumptious Society president, a timid Asperger’s-esque rapping paper shredder, the repressed NZ Postal worker, the brazen Lycra-clad fashion-school graduate, and the barefoot, black super-taper jeans-wearing not-so-ex-con?
No cast member steals the show. Thanks to Eddie Peni’s direction each contributes to the others’ performance, sharing the stage and the story equally. In fact the only flaw is a slight dragging of the tale towards the end. I suspect the fact the entire piece is set in a community hall may be responsible. There’s only so long a person can spend in a multi-purpose hall (unless you have a thing for Girl Guides).
That said, the set and costume designers did a great job of capturing the drab stacked-chair-and-dodgy-kettle essence of the hall, and the buttoned-down polyester twee of the cast. While the costuming helped to identify the characters in a stereotypical fashion, nothing was over-the-top. Except perhaps Trish’s orthopaedic sandals.
All in all, TWACAS is tighter than an XS Argyle on XXXL gent. Get along to see it.
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| Jonathan Hodge | posted 20 Feb 2010, 11:20 AM |
Promo Videos for TWACAS - have a watch www.youtube.com/watch Bruce www.youtube.com/watch Trish |