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Remember
Ronald Ryan
Presented by:
BustCo
Venue:
Phoenix
Theatre, Deakin University, Burwood
Reviewer:
Renee Maloney - Theatrepeople Editor
Date Reviewed:
Wednesday 10th
June, 2009
Remember Ronald Ryan is the story and events leading up to the last
man hanged by the state in 1967. Ronald Ryan had been in ‘B’
division in Pentridge Prison for petty crimes where he met Peter
Walker who was in for bank robbery. After his wife Dorothy George
had served divorce papers on him, he and Walker decided to break
out. During the breakout Ryan shoots a prison guard and is later
caught in Sydney after 19 days on the run. Ryan is extradited to
Melbourne, tried, found guilty and hung at Pentridge Prison on
February 3, 1967. This event led to the abolition of the Death
Penalty in Australia.
BustCo directors Jhess Knight and Joseph Booten are both first time
directors and have done an excellent job portraying such a fragile
and important event in the history of our state. The set was
interesting used well. I especially liked the way the rostrums
became a variety of different places. The
manipulation/transformation of the couch between a couch and the
many cars that took Walker and Ryan on their journey was clever. At
times it felt that parts of the dialogue was cut off as the lights
went out and the last line of the scene was in darkness; however,
perhaps this was to enhance dramatic conflict or perhaps attributed
to opening night technical issues.
This is an excellent segue way into lighting. The lighting was
clever and utilised well but at times felt that there could have
been a little more as I struggled to see the performer’s faces from
the third row. The use of the gobo lighting effect in the jail
enhanced the conflict and gave instant recognition of being in
Pentridge. A special mention must go to the lighting for the hanging
scene. The use of front lighting to enhance the tension and the
quick switch to a rear blinder really added to the shock value as
Ryan was hung.
Costumes were simple yet effective. The costumes were all black
except for a couple of characters having a floral dress or purple
top or skirt. In true non-naturalistic theatre the use of theatre
blacks is prevalent and saw the benefit of them during the
performance however did find it a little disturbing that prisoners
had shirts and suit pants on perhaps a more appropriate use of
theatre blacks could have been used.
Julze Serendipity as Ryan and Rebecca Mignone as Dorothy were
excellent in their roles. Both had such great chemistry on stage and
complemented each other nicely as Husband and Wife. Mignone’s
girlish naivety was beautiful especially in the scene where Ryan and
George met on the Ferry and also at Ryan’s first meeting with Mr.
and Mrs. George at their home. Serendipity was a consistent and
strong actor in the title role. His constant harshness except when
with Dorothy was excellent and his interactions with her were just
beautiful. Maverick De Leon as Peter Walker was very consistent in
his role however it was difficult to hear and understand him at
times due to sloppy diction.
Other special mentions go to Ross McKinnon who found himself playing
many roles and symbolically was Mr George, the priest and the Prison
guard Dobson – who was shot dead by Ryan. Also to Claire Frost as
Ryan’s sister was excellent in creating empathy with the audience
prior to his execution. In contrast Alex Campbell and Damien
Deppeler and their inclusion of comedy during the many telephone
scenes added a light hearted feel to further enhance the emotion of
the other scenes. A little more front light on these performers
would have assisted with being able to see their facial expressions.
Well done to you all!!
The
show was excellent and the directors’ non naturalistic
interpretation of the story of Ronald Ryan in the late 1960’s was
clear and staged in an interesting and exciting way. The show only
runs this weekend so get down to the Phoenix Theatre at Deakin
University to check out this superbly told story and have a cuppa in
the newly renovated foyer.
Renee has over 20 yrs experience in professional and
non–professional theatre. She has choreographed/directed/produced
and performed in several shows for various companies including; Les
Miserables, Annie, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Anything
Goes and Guys & Dolls, Annie get your Gun and Gypsy. Renee
directed/choreographed "All the New Stuff" and "Sondheim to
Schwartz" for Phoenix Theatre Company and was nominated for Best
Director in Variety show Lyrebird Award for both productions. She
co-directed The Full Monty for PTC last year as well as the Lyrebird
Awards Ceremony. Renee is the Junior TP Editor for Theatrepeople and
a secondary school Dance/Drama teacher at Yarra Valley Grammar.
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