(Tarryn Bennett & James
Cairns)
(Review
from the artSMart team covering the 2014 Witness Hilton Arts Festival which ran
at Hilton College from September 19 to 21)
Superb performances in exquisite piece of theatre. (Review
by Caroline Smart)
First published in 1940 as a short story, Paul Gallico’s
classic and emotionally-moving The Snow
Goose was part of my growing up. I am sure that our much-loved LP recording
featuring the distinctive voice of Herbert Marshall as Rhayader and Joan Loring as Frith subconsciously
encouraged my eventual involvement in radio drama with Springbok Radio and the
English Service.
Recently seen at the Witness Hilton Arts Festival and directed
by Jenine Collocott, a dramatised adaptation featured James Cairns and Tarryn
Bennett. All three were involved in the adaptation and they have created what
is an exquisite piece of theatre, superbly performed and full of energy.
The story deals with a reclusive lighthouse owner, Philip Rhayader,
who is an artist despite having a deformed arm. He is looked down on by the Essex
townsfolk and many think he is stupid. One day, a snow goose makes a rare
appearance but is shot and wounded by duck hunters, one of whom is the father
of a young girl called Frith. A free spirit, she is filled with energy, inquisitiveness
and passion for independence. She takes the wounded goose to Rhayader and a warm
friendship develops between them.
The adaptation skilfully marks the progress of the story as
it heads towards the outbreak of the Second World War and the evacuation of Allied
soldiers from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk when, under Winston Churchill’s
orders, any ship or boat available, no matter how small, headed across the English
Channel to rescue the troops. The play comes to an undeniably heart-rending
finish, although it does come to a conclusion before the ending of the original
story.
A puppetry image of a snow goose flying above a sailboat combined
with sound effects of bombing sets the scene. Wearing masks, Cairns and Bennett
take on numerous roles, apart from their main characters of Rhadyader and
Frith. Some of these character changes happen at lightning speed, especially
when they take on the roles of the haughty newsreaders.
The performances are compelling and utterly believable. I
loved Cairns’ army officer and Bennett’s post office lady, each with their own
distinctive mannerisms. The play is full of delicious moments of hilarity as
well as those of gentle poignancy, particularly when Frith feeds the goose and
gets cross when other birds try to butt in. There is another
beautifully-handled scene when they dance together.
The set is highly effective. The revolve becomes Rhayader’s
sailboat and what looks like a folded standing umbrella turns into a sail. The cluster
of slatted wooden boxes form cupboards or storage space.
All in all, a most fulfilling 70 minutes worth of theatre. The
production is supported by Zultrans CC. – Caroline Smart
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