THEATRE

“Two Comedies”

“God”

By Woody Allen, directed by Duncan Driver

“Pool (No Water)”

By Mark Ravenhill, directed by Duncan Ley

Everyman Theatre

Canberra Theatre Centre Courtyard Studio, until July 28.

Reviewed by Joe Woodward

AFTER seeing “Two Comedies” presented by Everyman Theatre, questions must be asked as to why there is no full-time professional adult theatre company in Canberra; and why Everyman Theatre is not that company.

The depth of professionalism in Everyman Theatre’s direction and casting is on display in a wonderful evening of theatrical adventuring.

Duncan Driver breathes new energy into Woody Allen’s classic “God”. Duncan Ley and Jarrad West keep up a frenetic pace tempered with frequent and deliberate interruptions from a stream of “audience” members; most notably, Steph Roberts.

Duncan Ley’s production of “Pool (No Water)” is a masterpiece offering an experience that only live theatre can provide. The cast of Jarrad West, Steph Roberts, Amy Dunham and Zach Raffan work as an ensemble providing excellent vocal delivery and superbly sculptured movement requiring the precision of a choreographed dance piece. It is erotic, comical, savage, very irreverent and provocative theatre that only a company with the maturity, depth and skill of Everyman can make work.

Both productions suggest an impatience with the stagnation that seems to be creeping into theatre presentation. Both works explore the relationship between art and reality. Both throw a finger to self-censoring and self-consciousness.