I think it’s safe to say that the “One Act Play Festival” has become a set piece in the Adelaide Community Theatre calendar. Hosted by the Galleon Theatre Group, at their home base the Domain Theatre, it gives Galleon, the St Jude’s Players and the Deadset Theatre Co. licence to display their considerable range of artistic wares. This year’s trio of offerings delivered a sublimely satisfying afternoon visit to the theatre. The combined elements of direction, acting and technical know-how were showcased skilfully, precisely and smoothly.
“See If I Care” was directed with deft touch by Norm Caddick. Two elderly women meet and share a park bench to eat their packed lunches as per their customary wont. First Lady (Deborah Walsh) is the more gregarious and forceful of the duo. She keeps photos of a family life with husband and daughter safely in her bag. Her friend, Second Lady (Rhonda Grill) is somewhat passive, somewhat subservient. She has not married nor had children. Their conversation ebbs and flows along a well worn pathway dotted with familiar chidings and minor bickering. Their lunchtime sojourn is is interrupted by the separate entrances of three women. Woman (1), (Kaila Barton), awaits a young man who has arranged to meet her. It is a wait in vain and she returns to her workplace having chatted with both elderly ladies and been shown the family snaps. Woman (2) (Vicky Horwood) bursts briefly onto the scene in a frantic search for a small boy in a grey suit and exits as quickly as she arrived. Woman (3) (Allison Scharber) most significantly and unexpectedly is the First Lady’s daughter. Her shrill and menacing demands for money from her mother belie the promoted family history. How will this startling revelation affect a long friendship between the elderly women? The portrayals of the two principal characters were exemplary. Both pace and timing were faultless and there was respect paid to the value of a paused silence. At no time did either actor allow their character to slip into the realm of caricature. We recognised them for who they were, we understood them and we found them both agreeable individuals. Walsh and Grill deliver beautifully controlled performances in reminding us that real friendship is unconditional and unassailable.
Deadset Theatre’s contribution “Ravaged” is an Australian play written by Kylie Rackman. Within it are three snapshots of couples caught in the horrific Kinglake fires in 2009. Directed by Zoe Muller and Alyssa D’Onofrio it combines the spoken voice with startling projected imagery of that black day to memorable effect. To say that this was a powerful presentation is just not enough! Single mum Penny (Mia Ellis) along with her friend Megan (Amelia Baldock) has planned a birthday party for her young son. All of his classmates from his new school are invited and their arrival is imminent. But nobody is showing up. Engaged couple Hugh (Jai Pearce) and Sally (Lucy Thompson) are establishing their own home not far from Kinglake. Pragmatic Hugh is fully aware of fire dangers and has judiciously prepared his home for such a possibility. He is away in Melbourne and the reports of serious fires are getting more insistent. He phones several times and tells Sally to leave but she waits too long and has no choice but to stay. Young Nick (Oliver Medwell) is a rookie CFS recruit. He has a heightened romantic notion of being part of the local brigade and “doing his bit.” Whilst he’s done the training this will be his first fire. His senior team member Terry (Damian White) is very apprehensive about the day ahead. He does not like the look of things at all! Each of these couples tells their story facing us directly so there can be no questioning their growing terror and what is racing through their minds. As the day wears on the fires combine to become a cataclysmic display of natural forces. The screened vision of news clips of that day are sobering, to say the least. We are left to wonder how anybody trapped within the parameters of that unruly inferno could possibly have survived. Yet, miraculously, some did. The commitment and concentration from the six actors was supreme. Their diction was excellent and the use of the entire stage to contain the three couples enabled us to readily focus on their individual stories. It was hauntingly memorable.
” Where Are You Going Hollis Jay ” is a little American rom-com presented by Galleon Theatre and directed by Andrew Clark. It was all too evident that director Clark was in close communion with his cast of two. So much of this play was reliant upon timing. The pre-recorded thoughts of each actor had to be cued at just the right time to dove-tail with their stage delivery. This marriage, ordained by sound man Warren McKenzie, worked without a hitch. So much that could go wrong simply did not! Of the two characters a frustratingly gauche and emotionally immature Hollis (Aled Proeve) finds himself alone with the more worldly aware but politely restrained Ellie (Veronika Wlodarczyk). With his essay on poetry waving in hand Hollis is all “Shall I compare thee to a Summer’s day?” On the other hand a slightly bemused yet undeterred Ellie’s mantra is “You should embrace me straight away!” She never gives up and it really is a matter of just when will Hollis capitulate! Both Proeve and Wlodarczyk maintain consistent American accents throughout which really suits the writing of course. They shared a necessary on stage chemistry unequivocally vital in this piece. Their timing and pace throughout was exquisite. Their thought “bubbles” throughout reminded me of the “Archie and Veronica” comics with intertwining stories of the annual prom, who might be Home-Coming Queen and more cheerleaders than you could shake a pom-pom at.
During these performances all matters technical were astutely managed by the three separate teams and the presentation on a Saturday afternoon was flawless. A lot of happy, smiling people left the Domain theatre having been variously entertained and enlightened. The One Act Play Festival of 2025 was an absolute winner. Next year’s audience is assured. I’m in!
