1998: A Streetcar Named Datsun 120Y by Mary Brown; I Am The Shark, You Are The Prey by Kurt Shean

A Streetcar Named Datsun 120Y by Mary Brown; I Am  The Shark, You Are The Prey by Kurt Shean.  Directed by Iain Sinclair for Elbow Theatre Company at the Currong Theatre, Gorman House.  Season: January 22-24 and 28-31, 1998.  Bookings: 6230 4828.   
    Critics are justifiably loath to enthuse too much, even about excellent work, in the knowledge that the future can so easily prove them wrong.  There are times and places in history when theatre suddenly flares with imagination.  From often small sparks, like Melbourne's La Mama 35 years ago, smouldering embers become continuing sources of heat and light.

    Canberra's theatrical fire has glowed with occasional sparks for more than 25 years: what I saw at Elbow's preview on Wednesday was a jet of flame in comparison. 

    Simon Clarke's movement, voice and characterisation perfectly presented all the details of Kurt Shean's storytelling, so we came to understand the nature of myth.  In Mary Brown's horrifyingly funny study of Rex (seen last year in Pig Biting Mad, now in the complete version), Kenneth Spiteri had me on the edge of the seat ready to run if his insanity became seriously dangerous.  Two Canberra writers, two Canberra actors and two pieces of modern theatre you cannot afford to miss.

    Before and between the plays are songs by Lonesome Fred Smith, sung with Fiona and Heather Bolton, in the form of satirical ballads, in which absurdities become both humorous and telling.  It's sad to find ourselves laughing at society's inhumanity, even though it's educational to perceive hypocrisy.

    Elbow Theatre is on the edge, or rather presents us the double-edged sword of humour in inescapable truth.  The quality of their irony is not strained: a compliment to the intelligence of the writers, performers and director, Iain Sinclair.  I feel I have been waiting for this to happen in Canberra.

    The show goes from here to the Adelaide Festival Fringe.  Other new plays are in the offing.  The company will offer workshops.  I sense that this new theatre is at the right time and place.  This is capital city quality firing up in our very own capital city - but the actors can only afford to stay here if you give them an audience.  You won't be disappointed.

© Frank McKone, Canberra