Tidal Pools

Ten years since the War on Terror “began” in 2001, award winning playwright Sean Munro was inspired to write Tidal Pools to show us how desensitised we all are when a child is killed by a suicide bomber on the other side of the world, bringing that event closer to home to explore reactions in the genre of a black comedy.

In a joint production between Sean Munro and Blue Cow Theatre, the premiere of Tidal Pools in Hobart has created many appreciative ripples. Blue Cow is a profit share company: a group of skilled professionals come together and invest in a production and then split the profits.

Tidal Pools made us laugh then shocked us into stunned silence: a delicious experience. Seven talented performers, each relishing their role, made it difficult to select a standout. Director Annette Downs and original concept designer Robert Jarman created an interesting ploy: the story was told in segments, with each single character, then a duo, in tableau scenes, with other actors “frozen” on stage. As each fast paced scene evolved, the preceding speaker enacted a slow-mo, action continued around them.

The superb Alison Farrow, sporting an extravagant Russian accent and impeccable comic timing, delivered a funny script: personal columns will never be same again. Scott Farrow as wily, opportunistic Henry, intent on cashing in on the “Second Coming” provided an unsympathetic character to make us cringe. John Xintavelonis and Matt Wilson as the mates bounced ideas and sad revelations about at each other in the bar scenes, and Les Winspear, self-absorbed TV Game Show host, hilariously delivered narrative exposition.

With Mel King, the fast talking politician Rebecca, and Sally Davis as energetic and appealing children’s party host, the play bounced from laugh to laugh. This story has a twist-in-the-tail in the shorter second act, as the characters, playing their own children, deliver the surprise ending. Funny, wonderful entertainment to make you think!

Merlene Abbott 

Images: Top -  Mel King and Sally Davis; Middle - Mel King and Les Winspear background; Lower - Allison Farrow.

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