Once in Royal David's City

There was in an intriguing blend of comedy and pathos last night at the Playhouse with central character Will Drummond, a director and exponent of Brechtian theory, introducing us to that difficult and emotional time we can experience with the loss of a loved one. Presented through a series of flashbacks, short scenes with a variety of characters, memorial monologues, frenetic scene changes including the use of an effective hand-drawn stage curtain, recorded music, Michael Gow's creative juices are in full-flood with this opus using the magic of theatre to present a somewhat eccentric symbolic and inventive display. Some of the techniques he uses include back-light silhouette, song and dance and even played-out references to the repertoire.

The play starts well with colourful verve and vigour but eventually reduces down to a frothy simmer when we are eventually confronted with the stark reality of Will's acceptance of his mother's impending death. Though the eye of the initial storm of events becomes somewhat less engaging at this point, the saving grace is some well-crafted and human, albeit mundane, script ripe for interpretation and presentation by a seasoned actor.

This is where Jason Klarwein, playing the central character, really shows his true colours in a superb cathartic performance full of commendable subtlety and timing. Also outstanding is Kaye Stevenson's performance of a series of multifaceted characters; and Adam Booth, particularly as the doctor.

Brecht was renowned for writing in a thought-provoking style with an undercurrent message, more often directed at social change, and the inclusion and references used by the author doesn't always seem relevant to this play, perhaps, moreso, a sales platform, apart from a couple of scenes possibly directed at the medical profession. As a whole the play feels a little awkward, certainly inorganic, though it is a superb vehicle for the lead character no doubt inspired by Bowerbird Brecht, his German mentor; but Queensland Theatre still retains its seasoned reputation by providing slick and professional presentation and impressive direction from Artistic Director Sam Strong.

Brian Adamson

Photographer: Philip Gostelow.