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Friday, January 15, 2016

MUSH0!: A BEAUTIFUL WRECKAGE


(Liam Mcdermott & Grant Jacobs)
Overall, very good performances filled with energy and enthusiasm. (Review by Keith Millar)
Festivals such as the Musho! offer young and innovative performers the ideal chance to explore all aspects of their creativity. This certainly is the case with A Beautiful Wreckage where Grant Jacobs and Liam Mcdermott are responsible for creating the script and original music, performing the piece and collaborating in the creation of the visual art. One has to admire their determination to create opportunities for themselves in a very difficult industry.
However, as was the case with this production, they run the risk of presenting something which has the look of a work in progress. I am not sure that in that event they do themselves any justice. It must be said that this production was beset by a few technical problems which did not help their cause.
A Beautiful Wreckage is billed as musical theatre and in fact does contain a few very pleasant songs which are agreeably performed by the two actors.
Overall, their performances were very good, filled with energy and enthusiasm.
The action takes place in some futuristic world where those in charge are the Opulents and the oppressed are called the Destitutes.
Chase is a straightlaced, conservative character who is flying beneath the radar, while his friend Damon is a freewheeling extrovert who is living live to the full. Despite their character differences they are inseparable friends who feel driven to right the wrongs of the world.
The set, or props, consists of a table, four crates and two kitbags and these are imaginatively re-arranged and used to represent different locations within the story.
The action during the production takes place at a whirlwind pace. There are many short sharp scenes with frantic re-arranging of the table and crates in between. It was all a little exhausting and disconcerting.
The very dramatic and effective visual art which was used in the production was created by Mark Edwards in collaboration with the actors, while musical production was by Jonathon Simons. Direction was by Caitlin Kilburn.
The Musho! Festival at the Catalina Theatre at Wilson’s Wharf is on until Sunday, January 17. Tickets R50 per show (R30 students, pensioners and PANSA paid-up members) booked through Computicket outlets, telephonically at 0861 915 8000, or online at www.computicket.com
All 10h00, 12h00, 14h00 and 16h00 shows on Saturday / Sunday: Pay What You Can.
For more information call the PANSA office on 031 201 4750 or email: kzn@pansa.org.za or call the Catalina Theatre on 031 837 7400. – Keith Millar
The Musho! Festival 2016 is presented by PANSA with support from The KZN Performing Arts Trust, Pro-Helvetia and The Swiss Development Council, The KZN Department of Arts and Culture, The Daily News, Catalina Theatre and Twist Theatre Development Projects.