Heaven & Earth

Will Gayre, writer of Heaven & Earth, should produce a “how-to-write-a-play” book on the strength of his latest production. Start with a good idea: a real but inexplicable experience; add interesting characters; give them some action; throw in good reasons for their actions and behaviours; set the play against an interesting location, Italy; apply universal themes, such as the essence of reality, enduring love and the small gap between sane and insane behaviour. Add together, stir, and come to a conclusion, or not, especially if the premise of the play hinges on other-worldly elements. Keep the audience wondering if the events driving the action had been real or imagined? The story line involves Dan (Alex Rigozzi) and Sue (Melanie Brown), two young lovers who return from their European adventure, bringing back more than just souvenirs! Although a funny, sexy romp, this is also a scary play about the blurry lines between reality and imagination.

Based on supernatural themes, Heaven & Earth is gripping theatre featuring a gifted cast: Melanie Brown, Alex Rigozzi, Bryony Hindley, Aidan Furst and Carol Devereaux. Three of the actors played dual roles: Aidan and Bryony also spoke with Italian accents for half of their time on stage. Bryony Hindley has excellent diction, voice production and stage presence – I’m always delighted when I don’t I have to strain to hear an actor. Melanie Brown played girlfriend Sue, a pawn in the action, with honesty and vulnerability. Carol Devereaux was perfectly cast as Millicent, older woman/lover of Dan and again as Cass, the legal voice summing up the action. All characters were necessary and all actors pulled their weight.

Don Gay’s theatre involvement has spanned four decades in Hobart, the mainland and international theatre venues. As an accomplished performer, director, writer, producer, administrator and mentor he has an unerring judgment in what will work theatrically. His ability to recognise raw talent and to shape and mould actors is evident with the fine cast in Heaven & Earth. The minimalist set of revolving furniture and some walk-on pieces were enhanced with moody lighting by Rogan Brown and a new musical soundscape composed by Mark Hulsman. Technical effects were limited to one projected image and a fade-through scene on the scrim background. Don has relied on the vibrancy and energy of his young main characters to drive the play to its inevitable conclusion. Or was it inevitable? Just how much control do we have over our lives? Judge for yourself – what is real and what is imagination?

Merlene Abbott 

Image: L-R: Alex Rigozzi, Bryony Hindley, Melanie Brown & Aidan Furst. Photo by Janet Smith (photo taken during rehearsals).