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Written by terrypratchettbooks.org
Monday, 05 December 2005 |
A review of a performance of Going Postal, the play by Stephen Briggs.
Advertiser Adelaide - Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Going Postal. Bakehouse Theatre. Until December 10. A CONVICTED criminal escapes execution to take on the Herculean task of reviving Telstra, sorry, the post office, with the help of a Golem, a postie, a pin fetishist and a really stunning hat. It's got to be life on the Discworld.
Despite Unseen Theatre director Pamela Munt's editing, even a cast of experienced actors would find Stephen Briggs's over-literal adaptation of this Terry Pratchett novel hard work, but there are many chuckleworthy moments in this production.
The gallows humour, snide and sharp comments on modern capitalism, hits home but could be delivered with more panache. The play is a farce at many levels and needs to be given that injection of pace that is so crucial to theatrical success, and some cast members are uncomfortable with their lines.
The small cast changes roles and sex with rapidity, dragging us through a story of corruption and, incidentally, the way that love can redeem a hardened sinner.
A lot of the acting struggles to rise above the untrained and glee is no substitute for experience. Everybody on stage has a good time. Steve Parker as con artist Moist Von Lipwig carries the show with some highly skilled help from Philip Lineton as Vetinari, and a committed engagement with his character by Tom Fitzsimons as Groat.
Elsewhere, Munt contributes a couple of cameos and Kahlia Muller is suitably frosty as Adora Belle Dearheart, the love interest.
Despite unnecessary blackouts, the show runs smoothly, and Parker's inner thoughts, voiced over, are neatly managed, although other recorded voices are indistinct. It's very much a night for family, friends and fans of Pratchett's turtle-borne universe, but there are many of them and they will enjoy themselves.
Ewart Shaw
Source: The Advertiser
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