Directed by Stephen Lee
CAST:
Peter Clark
Shirley Van Sanden
Angelique Malcolm
Grant Watson
Claire Munday
And introducing Melissa Kiiveri as Joe
JOE EGG was presented in 2009 at The Subiaco Arts Centre
Studio, Western Australia ,June 5 to 20. |
|
A Day in the Death of Joe Egg– Class Act Theatre
This play, set in 1967, deals with the problems faced by carers
of severely disabled children. The issues are tellingly highlighted
in this wonderfully fresh and confronting play. Often achingly
funny, yet always with a bleak and bitter aftertaste, it is challenging
and thought provoking. Would life for all of them by better by
far if Joe were to die? Just what is gained by the daily struggle
of her existence? Or can the bond between parent and child survive
any adversity?
The West Australian Review highlights:
West Australian newspaper - Mon 8 June 2009
by Ali Talbut.
"With director Stephen Lee at the helm, Class Act theatre
has turned out one of its finest productions."
"Clark as Bri...is excellent at showing us the inner
anguish masked by tasteless black humour."
"This play still shocks and moves you on many levels."
"In act two, Nichols throws in well-meaning friends Freddie
and Pam (two excellent turns from Grant Watson and Angelique Malcolm)...and
Bri's toxic mother Grace, played with immaculate timing and great
relish by Claire Munday."
"Van Sanden's Sheila was a touching performance, switching
between comedy and pathos..."
"Clark's Bri was energetic and very funny. Young Melissa
Kiiveri pulled off the tricky role of Joe with aplomb."
"Affecting, but never cloying, thought-provoking but
never preachy, this was truly a class act."
THEATRE AUSTRALIA
WEBSITE:
“Director Stephen Lee has captured every subtle nuance of
the family’s life. With an amazingly talented cast, he guided
them to outstanding performances.
Peter Clark has proved himself
in community theatre over the years, but here he shows with a powerful
and incredible, energy-filled
performance, that he is one of WA’s best performers. He plays
several very different characters, flowing seamlessly between the
personae. Shirley Van Sanden, as you have never seen her before,
gives a strong performance as the optimistic mother. Claire Munday
displayed all the mannerisms of an interfering old bat! 14-year
old Melissa Kiiveri had superb observation of the mannerisms of
a severely brain damaged child, and was totally flaccid whilst
being handled, a very difficult condition to depict on stage. Angelique
Malcolm and Grant Watson topped off this absolutely amazing cast.
Costume
design by Meredith Ford is wonderful, from the wrinkled stockings
of Grandma to the leather elbow patches of Bri. The sensitive
lighting design by Aaron Stirk worked beautifully.
It is many years
since I have cried with laughter at a play, but when Grace arrived
the humour reached a peak. I have run out of
superlatives for this heart-warming comedy. A must see.”
Gordon Johnston, Theatre Australia
