Communicating doors – Tea Tree Players

Communicating doors – Tea Tree Players

The Tee Tree Players latest offering “ Communicating Doors” by Alan Ayckbourn is a bit of a mixed bag. Director Samuel Creighton has constructed an accessible overview of a complex story. In particular, the closet device that transports individual characters through time is used to great effect. Good design and effective lighting. It rightly becomes the central focus for the audience. And the use of complex doorways accessing the well appointed  bathroom on the opposite stage side was expertly achieved.

Richard Hobson as Reece handles his age transition with admirable ease. He did so with good diction and projection.

Lisa Wilton’s Poopay provides good seductive fun particularly during her first meeting with Julian and prospective client an aging and sickly Reece. She uses the stage to her advantage.

David Kinna’s Julian is suitably ascerbic and commanding but, I feel, lacked an element of the subtle sinister. He has a strong voice and confident stage presence.

As Ruella I was impressed by Chris Galipo’s ease on stage. In Act (1) she carried the narrative to her audience in a comprehensive manner. She connects well with her audience.

Hannah Doyle’s portrayal of Jessica grew as the timezones switched back and forth. She demonstrated cool acting aplomb in keeping cues on track towards the end of the play. Well done!

Frank Cwiertniak was a suitably lugubrious and imposing security officer.  He did, however, tend to wander through several English Counties in search of an accent! But all part of the fun!

The first night audience particularly enjoyed the business concerning Ruella and the 6th floor window. Indeed the audience obviously enjoyed the play throughout.

However, this first night performance was weighed down by a lack of those two key elements of theatre, pace and timing, both of which I am certain the ensemble will address as the play’s season unfolds.


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This production was reviewed by:

Alan Shepley
Alan Shepley
Whilst at University and Adelaide Teachers College he performed with Adelaide Uni Footlights, Therry and Theatre Guild before being appointed to country teaching positions. Over 35 years he was involved with school and/or community theatre productions in all facets of getting a show on stage at Pt. Augusta, Kadina , Balaklava and Pt. Pirie.

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