Written by Craig
Wright
Directed by Brendan
Kelly and James Scott
Honest Puck, CADA Theatre,
Fyshwick to 2 December
Reviewed by Len Power
29 November 2018
In Craig Wright’s very funny play, “Mistakes Were Made”, a harried
theatre producer wheels and deals his way through a busy day at the office,
juggling phone calls. He wants a movie
star to agree to a role that doesn’t yet exist in a play about the French
revolution that he is planning to produce.
At the same time he’s trying to convince the play’s author
to add the lead role he’s just promised to the actor, setting off an avalanche
of calls from playwright, actor and difficult agents.
Then, calls come in from Europe about a hijacked truck of
men and their load of sheep which were to make some money to help finance his
play producing. Through all this, he
relies on his goldfish, Denise, to maintain his sanity.
James Scott gives an extraordinary and highly energetic
performance as the producer, Felix Artifex, in this almost one character play. Constantly ducking and weaving through
several phone conversations at once, shouting at his secretary and feeding his
fish, James Scott shows every facet of this fascinating character who relies on
his gift of the gab to get through the day.
 |
| James Scott & Tijana Kovac |
His secretary, Esther, is an unseen presence offstage for
most of the play. Tijana Kovac gives a
fine vocal performance as the secretary who relentlessly puts calls through to
the producer and isn’t fazed by his increasing testiness. Using just her voice, Kovac skilfully shows
that it’s just another day at the office for her character.
Amusingly wrangled by puppeteer, Jenny Ng, the fish, Denise,
becomes an important character in the play.
Directors, Brendan Kelly and James Scott keep the pace and
physical movement at the right frenzied level throughout. James Scott’s expert comic timing ensures
that every funny line hits the spot.
This is a breathlessly funny play with a masterly performance
from James Scott at its centre and it has a clever ending, too.
This review was first
published in the Canberra City News digital edition of 30 November 2018.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast in his ‘On Stage’ performing arts radio program on Mondays
and Wednesdays from 3.30pm on Artsound FM 92.7.