August: Osage County

When Beverly Weston disappears, his family returns to their home in rural Oklahoma. Pulitzer Prize winning play August: Osage County is being performed for the first time in Western Australia by Playlovers, at the Latvian Theatre in Belmont, as the company is still waiting to return to their home at Hackett Hall, Floreat.

Gary Wetherilt’s tri-level set, outstanding in any venue, is even more phenomenal in a borrowed theatre - a beautifully constructed symbol of decay, which sets the mood for the show. Lighting, designed by Mark Nicholson, and composition by Myles Wright are both very strong.

Barry Park has assembled a strong cast of actors, who convey a strong ensemble feel against the heavy conflict in the play.

Chandra Wyatt leads the cast with an expertly crafted performance as unstable, unkind and at times unhinged matriarch Violet Weston. She anchors the show, establishing believable (albeit often toxic) relationships with ‘family members. Her carer, appointed in the first few minutes of the play, is Johnna Monevata, who stands as an outside observer to the events of the play - nicely inhabited by Sarah Thillagaratnam.

Daughters Barbara, Ivy and Karen are well played by Sally Barendse, Jackie Oates and Jennifer McGrath. Barbara’s estranged husband Bill is given depth by Dean McAskil, with Tessa Bevilacqua, in only her second community theatre production, excellent as rebellious teen daughter Jean. Robert Roy Jackson is believable as Karen’s despicable fiancé Steve.

Alide Chaney gives credence to Violet’s over-bearing, over-loud sister Mattie Fae, with great work from David Cotgreave as her husband Charlie. Underestimated, under-appreciated son Little Charles is well portrayed by Nic Doig.

Making the most of brief appearances are Martyn Churcher as Beverly Weston and Cameron Leese as Sheriff Deon Gilbeau.

This is a long show, with two hours before interval (the first two acts played without a break), and the chairs are not two hour chairs, but it is a credit to the production, that it feels significantly shorter.

A must see for aficionados of good drama.

Kimberley Shaw