Empire

This was a bizarre and at times difficult night in the theatre. Ironically it began with such glamour.

No less than 18 characters walked onto the stage – splendidly dressed for a 1930’s cruise. The set, costumes and lighting looked spiffing. Witty lines held out promise for what smelt like a sparkling Agatha Christie murder mystery on the high seas.

The first sign that this theatrical vessel had some leaks came when the theatre filled with haze, and without air conditioning the atmosphere made the audience very drowsy.

We had to strain to take in so many characters.  Working out who committed the first murder was all too much effort.

Interval and fresh air was a relief. Why hadn’t this long script been trimmed was the thought of many in the foyer?

Then came the gruesome second act. The quaint play became a slash and bash fest.

It was not a case of whodunit. But what motivated the murders and what new way could Toby Schmitz think of to snuff out a passenger?

Lucky for him he was not there to see the discomfort on the faces of some members of the audience during the mock disembowelling.

(Toby was across town for the Sydney Theatre Company in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.)

There wer some shining moments of relief.  One-liners were memorable and save for one dodgy accent the play was nicely acted. The stand out was Nathan Lovejoy who was a joy to watch as Mr Richard Civil-Lowe Cavendish, lighting up the stage every time he appeared.

I could go through the other 17 characters but then this review would be just as long winded as this play.

David Spicer