Directed by Katie
Cawthorne
Canberra Youth Theatre
Ralph Wilson Theatre,
Gorman Arts Centre to 24 July
Review by Len Power
21 July 2016
Canberra Youth Theatre’s ‘The Verbatim Project’ presents a
slice of sixteen individuals’ experiences in their lives so far, provoking the
question, ‘Does age matter? In the end aren’t we all just having human
experiences?’
This one hour presentation involves ten 13 to 15 year old
performers and six from the 65 to 80 year old range. Katie Cawthorne’s production is entertaining
as well as thought-provoking. Starting from
audio and video interviews with the performers, the production has been developed
into a theatrical experience using those interviews in various ways. Some moments are scripted using words and
expression as originally heard in interview while others use the device of ‘headphone
verbatim’ where performers listen to the voice of someone else, while repeating
exactly what they’re saying with the same rhythm and expression.
What is particularly exciting about this production is the
way all the elements have been brought together into a complete theatrical
experience. Using only a number of
uniformly coloured chairs on a bare stage, the cast create vivid dramatic
moments through voice, movement and stillness.
Everyone onstage displays great confidence and skill in their playing
through a series of concepts involving age, gender, anxiety, war, love, family,
justice and death. Particularly powerful
was the relating of the experiences of an older and a younger person to different
wars.
The assured and imaginative direction by Katie Cawthorne
makes this a very compelling production.
She is aided by the excellent lighting design by Brynn Sommerville which
adds to the atmosphere as does the sound design by Ethan Hamill and Kimmo Vennonen.
Being a part of this troupe of performers must have been a
great learning experience about theatre and life in general. For an audience it’s a production to enjoy and
remember.
Len Power's reviews can also be heard on the Artsound FM 92.7 'Artcetera' program from 9am on Saturdays.
