FRONT presented by Summer Nights & SLATE.
NEWS BULLETIN: just in – from the side of the country that seems as if theatre often forgot – there is a new theatre company in town!
I for one am elated, as the children’s scene is well catered for here in lil ole Perth, competition breeds excellence and thus family entertainment here is all the better for it.
Adult directed theatre however is a different story. Outside of the glorious month of Perth Festival, quality National or International offerings can be counted on one hand, and the majority of weight lies between the States flagship company and the more experimental The Blueroom Theatre.
The new company is SLATE, established to support and facilitate both emerging and established performing artists and creatives within the Perth theatre scene.
SLATE’s first offering, FRONT, is a fun romp from rehearsal room to stardom with a Mötley Crüe of musical misfits. It’s not rocket science, but the presentation and premise is something I have never seen before, and that alone wins points in my book.
Director Michael Abercromby used to manage a dingy dive bar where ‘irreverent rock bands sang stupid songs’ and ‘stuck it to the man… with overpowered apathy and an urge to combat anything mainstream.’ FRONT is Abercromby’s valiant attempt to capture that scene and all the hard work, sacrifice and ego that comes with it.
‘Because no matter what you play, if you get big, you start making money, and when you start making money… no matter how “punk” you are… things are going to get weird.’
The audience walks into a rehearsal room, a novel setting which immerses people immediately into the grotty excitement of fresh unadulterated ambition. Real road cases serve as great props, although the visible Sugar Army logo does detract from the authenticity of the “band” before us. As the story from rags to riches and beyond develops over the 70 or so minutes, the various band members deliver short monologues as insights into their inner thoughts and the bands workings. It’s a clever way to deliver more information, and really gives each actor their shining moment away from the otherwise very even ensemble piece FRONT is.
The six cast members are mostly recent WAAPA or other local theatre graduates, with one member headed into third year studies, which bodes well for future productions. While the characters are broken into fairly stereotypical muso types – a drunk one, an egotistical one, a cocky one and a mouthy one, it’s fun to watch and has an element of truth throughout. Perhaps there is not enough time to develop true empathy for the various personas, but the script has ample depth to carry an enthusiastic audience along for the ride.
I look forward to seeing this company again, watching it grow and evolve, and hopefully breeding excellence within Perth theatre.
Rating: 3 ½ stars ★★★☆
FRONT
FRINGE WORLD Festival
Summer Nights and Slate present FRONT
Rehearsal Room 1, State Theatre Centre of WA
Director, Designer and Playwright: Michael Abercromby
Starring: Isaac Diamond, Oscar Harris, Adam Marks, Mikayla Merks, Mary Soudi & Harrison Targett
18 – 26 January 2019
Rehearsal Room 1 at State Theatre Centre, Perth
