Butterflies Are Free

Butterflies Are Free
By Leonard Gershe. Lambert House Enterprises and Emu Productions in Association with the UE Company. Directed by Les Solomon. King Street Theatre, Newtown (NSW). October 17-November 3, 2013.

This production was one of an inaugural 'repertory season' of two plays being presented in tandem. Butterflies was staged in the foyer space, while Three Winters Green (also directed by Les Solomon) ran at different times on the main stage and featured three of the same four actors.

Solomon's decision to showcase this fine group of actors under such demanding circumstances proved to be quite shrewd, as he's also an actor's agent. After seeing these gifted young actors perform, one can say his enthusiasm is certainly justified.

Fans of the 1972 Swinging 60s-themed film will enjoy how much freshness and relevance is retained in the snappy dialogue.

For something so pointedly 'of it's time' to come across as fresh, vibrant and authentic, it requires great craft and commitment of the actors. Emily Kennedy exudes the cheeky, yet innocent mischief required for the role immortalised by Goldie Hawn, while James Wright is heart-breakingly convincing as he portrays both the vulnerability and pride of Don, the beautiful blind boy she falls for. Cheryl Ward crashes Don's party midway through act one to deliver some of the play's more acerbic lines with restrained aplomb, and embraces the searingly emotional moments in act two in a manner keeping with this deceptively layered character. While Matt Young was slightly upstaged by his wig, his effortless boorishness as the interloper breaks the tension well in Act II.

The rejuvenated King Street space proved ideal for set designer and audience alike. The play's ever-so-slightly mawkish moments needed that sense of genuine intimacy to be believed. This reviewer regrets not being available to review the partner production based purely on the quality of this one.  

Rose Cooper

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