Play Review by Meredith Fuller OAM Psychologist & Author
“The play is, as the title suggests, an audience with ‘Don Dunstan‘ the former Labor Premier of South Australia.It recounts his political life through drama, poetry and song. Set late at night in an Adelaide cabaret, only Don and a young Black African singer/actor, who aspires to be like Billy Holiday and Nina Simone, remain.Full of theatricality, befitting the former Premier, it recalls his appearance in court opposing capital punishment, his opposition to the Vietnam War, the Royal Commission into the sacking of a Police Commissioner, and the day as the premier he wore pink shorts to parliament.The play moves in and out of the cabaret setting as it tells the story of Don Dunstan ‘s political life, one of Australia’s most charismatic, courageous and visionary politicians.”
Neil Cole: Writer
Alicia Ben-Lawler: Director
Alec Gilbert: Actor
Ag Johnson: Actor
Isabella Gilbert: Actor
Anya Arora: Graphic Designer/Photography/Social Media
Producer: Peter McMullin AM
Executive Producer: Simon Madden
Neil Cole is a playwright and author who cares deeply about society and every individual. He has designed a fitting tribute to Don Dunstan that is educative, entertaining, multi-faceted, humourous, poignant, and researched to perfection.
His plaiting of songs, poetry, dialogue, recording, vignettes, and audience participation is a marvellous device. What a brilliant way of bringing history to life – theatre in education for the young, and a fine honouring of this trailblazing politician, cookbook writer, and fashionista. Not only wearing pink shorts (and, we are reminded, they were NOT ‘pink hotpants’!) but also safari suits, Dunstan spearheaded rights for LGBTQ+, tackled racism and much that ailed society.
The audience certainly enjoyed this 80 minute performance judging by the constant ‘hear hears’, moments of clapping throughout, laughter, and huge extended applause at the end. An almost full house was highly engaged throughout the evening. Audience participation was invited for one number; this was taken up by nearly everyone, as Ag and Isabella sashayed amongst us with their beautiful voices, using tamborines.
Alec Gilbert brought verisimilitude to his role, with a measured gravitas and dry humour. A song and dance routine with Ag Johnson, a young singing hospitality worker in the cabaret where he reflected on his life, was sublime. I’m not surprised to note that he trains with Susan-Anne Walker, voice and singing coach. A mature actor, he speaks, moves and sings with grace and flexibility.
Ag Johnson opened the show with a song and continued to enchant us with her exquisite voice for several numbers. Music and songs were carefully curated for relevance. She is a stunning singer who reminded me of a young Marcia Hines. I definitely want to see more from this young singer/actor.
Isabella Gilbert is a young actor, dancer and multidisciplinary performance artist who tackled multiple roles with aplomb. Her movement training was evident in the dextrous way she morphed in a variety of roles such as reporter, lawyer, journalist, and member of the public. She was adroit in her capacity to inhabit disparate characters; impressive and funny.
The Director, Alicia Ben-Lawler, created fascinating tableaux and ensured that the audience could view and hear everything in this moveable feast. Set and wardrobe worked a treat, and the theatre program was inspired
I enjoyed the trip down memory lane and marvelled at how instrumental Dunstan was in changing Australia for the better. I encourage Neil Cole to pursue his multi-media technique of bringing significant people to our attention and allowing us to reflect on who we are as a nation and how far we have come.
My constructive comments would be to sharpen the pace, particularly with the dialogue set in the cabaret. The good direction meant that every word was heard, understood, and quickly processed. Jumping in with a slightly quickened pace from the hospitality singer would maintain the tension, contrast and momentum. Alec’s character was suitably authoritative and thoughtful and worked particularly well with many of Isabella’s dynamic characters. I wondered how Ag’s character might play with a little more insouciance and faster playfulness. I was so enamoured of Ag’s singing I would have preferred to finish the play with her singing a number that mirrored the sentiments in the poem.
The venue was excellent for this play, and it runs 13 – 23 March at CHAPEL OFF CHAPEL with an 8pm start so there is no excuse for missing this entertaining play about a great political figure that changed our country for the better.
Dates
13 – 23 March
Times
Thursday 13 March: 8pm (Opening Night)
Friday 14 & Saturday 15 March: 8pm
Thursday 20 – Saturday 22 March: 8pm
Sunday 23 March: 6.30pm
Tickets
$42 Standard
$38 Concession
$38 Child (13 years & under)
Duration
90-minutes (no interval)
All Chapel Off Chapel performances have a strict lockout policy.
Latecomers may not be admitted. Please arrive at least 15-minutes before performance time.
