Masquerade

A contemporary tale of love and loss mixed with a fairy tale of epic proportions, playwright Kate Mulvany’s journey with the book Masquerade began when she was a child and later in life when she had the opportunity to meet the author Kit Williams. A story with an abrupt ending is given new life as Mulvany puts her spin on this magical story.

A stage framed with letters is striking, each adding to the many riddles unfolding throughout the performance. Designer Anna Cordingley has done a fine job in adding to the magic with her rotating set that is highlighted by a breathtaking lighting and audio panorama by Geoff Cobham and Chris Petridis.

Adding to the whimsy is a soundtrack that complements the giddiness and at times seriousness of the action. An ensemble of talented musicians headed by Mikelangelo, who doubles as the Sun and the practical man.

Directors Lee Lewis and Sam Strong have created a sentimental story that will pull at the heart strings and tickle the funny bone of all ages. Delivered with the right amount of sentiment and humour this tale teaches us that not all life lessons carry a happy ending.

Wonderful characterisations meant that we witnessed fairy tale characters with human emotion. Nathan O’Keefe was splendid in his portrayal of Jack Hare, the bumbling and loveable hare and servant to the moon. His interaction with the youngsters in the audience was spot on. His mistress, the moon, sends him on an adventure to deliver a message of unrequited love to the sun and give him a token of her affection in the form of an amulet. He meets many eccentric personalities along the way. Cameos by Tara Treetops, Penny Pockets, a fat pig, the dawn and a fish provide wonderful humorous encounters.

Throughout the tale we are thrown back to reality in the form of a stark hospital room housing the very ill Joe (Louis Fontaine) and his mother Tessa (Helen Dallimore); she is reading him the story of the tale unfolding before us. Trying to keep up the spirits of her son and stay strong herself, we are reminded that although life is full of magical moments, that sometimes for no apparent reason life ends. Dallimore and Fontaine had a nurturing chemistry that left one sad; both performances were admiral.

If the directors did not have enough action and riddles to weave, there were also many eclectic musical performances that were pleasing.

A story that had the potential to get lost in all it was trying to deliver, never lost its way. A beautifully adapted tale that was given a contemporary injection of reality. A tale that indeed ends abruptly, but manages to fill one with hope and wonder.

Kerry Cooper

PREVIEW AND BUY SCRIPT HERE.

Photographer: Brett Boardman

Link to Carol Wimmer's review of the Sydney season.