Blue Murder

This play, first performed in 1994, is challenging for the cast as well as the audience as it tells how Eve leaves her country town to come to Blackrock, a gothic cathedral-like rock in Sydney Harbour, to work for Blue, a children’s writer. He leads her on a journey of self discovery that is magical, sensuous and frightening. It is a study of how men have created the fantasy that their art is more than life - and even death. The implications were obvious when the name Blue fully registered.

Director Jane Oliffe has achieved a high standard in this very challenging play. The main problem was the sheer verbosity of the dialogue in Act1 – and it did not take a logical path for the audience to follow. Frankly, I do not know how it could be improved other than slowing the delivery considerably.  However, she has assembled a very good cast in a tight, well directed production. Trent Owers was impressive as Blue but needs some clarity in delivery in act 1. His key partner, Hannah Mason as Eve, was an excellent counter foil to make the play a success. The others in the cast – Ellen Hardisty, Franciska Schmoll, Liliana Ritchie and Carl Figueiredo – brought the necessary clarity to a somewhat bewildered audience.

4 Stage productions are to be congratulated for presenting this challenging play rather than the usual safe secure well known ones we see so often. The play itself is not everyone’s cup of tea and they may shout blue murder about it.  Still, this Blue Murder was well done.

William Davies