Under Milkwood

Listen. Listen! Let the words wash over you. Be cradled on lilting rhythms, softly buffeted by alliteration. Waken gently to the onomatopoeia of beast and fowl. Let warmth and light seep into your soul and stay a while amongst the queer folk of Llareggub. But, above all, listen.

The words are glorious. There is a consistency of accent in the compelling production that is rarely achieved. It is all audible and clear. But it requires concentration.

This is facilitated by a very even ensemble who embrace the poetry but also physicalise their many characters to great effect. Tricia Agrawal’s costumes and multitudinous properties (hats, shawls, domestic bits and bobs) help bring to life the many quirky folk of Llareggub. There is nothing static about this well paced production. Yes, the actors are largely seated on multilevel rostrum blocks but one by one, a complex dance unfolds. A star-turn (Oh, Andy Aisbett!), a comic mime, a witty duologue, a poignant song, a sinuous seaweed ballet; a seemingly endless procession of humanity.

Anita Planchon has assembled a very strong cast of fourteen to bring this joyous, charming, funny and moving work to the stage. Gary Farmer-Tricket, Nadia Butler, Paul McNally, Jennifer Dwyer, Alex Duffy, Jon Lenthall, Belle Duroe, Scott Lleonart, David Bloomfield, Andy Aisbett, Cate Watchorn, Immy Nock, and Stella Varco and Michael Fortescue (who also improvises on double bass) – all 10/10.

Chris McBride is unafraid to let the earliest scenes be played out in almost darkness. As the day unfolds, the light shimmers and changes, bounces off the water, and thickens in the twilight. With a fairly minimal set, the lighting is a significant feature.

So, also is the artwork of recently deceased Tasmanian treasure, Jon Kudleka. His work ‘Derwent Blue’ features in the program design.

Under Milkwood might not be what you usually expect to see on a night in a Repertory Theatre Company. This is not a two-act drawing room comedy but this charming production is worthy of attentive ears and eyes.

Anne Blythe-Cooper

Photographers: Wayne Wagg and Robert Linacre

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Credits

Director: Anita Planchon

Music: Michael Fortescue

Lighting Design: Chris McBride

Props and Costume: Trisha Argawal et al.