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Irreconcilable Differences Directed by Michelle Gaul Irreconcilable Differences is a series of Shakespeare scenes chronicling the tumultuous and sometimes chaotic world of relationships; from the naivety of new love, the endurance of jealousy and betrayal through to the heights of passion and divorce. With uncomplicated production values and desig, Irreconcilable Differences is a text and character drivern piece drawing on the skills and stroytelling ability of the actors to transport the audience in to the timeless world of human condition. Irreconcilable Differences completed a tour of Secondary Schools throughout the Riverina during August 2007 but also offered a limited season for general audiences to experience this unique look at Shakespeare. Cast: Kylie Chay-Mackenzie Hanna Cormick Craig Higgs Set/Lighting and Sound: Kevin Poynter
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Irreconcilable Differences, by William Shakespeare
Gearstick Theatre production at North Wagga Hall
Adaptation & Direction: Michelle Gaul
Cast: Hanna Cormick, Craig Higgs, Kylie Chay Mackenzie
Review: Adrian Wintle
HERE'S a production that boldly mines the rich lodestone of Shakespeare's plays to yield an engrossing view of relationships, whether blissfully idyllic, soured by ambition or ill-starred by deceit.
Scenes from no fewer than 13 plays spring to life at the hands of three actors for whom Shakespeare's texts are springboards for vital realisation. The whole confection is played seamlessly, with each scene flowing smoothly into the next, creating a symphonic effect akin to a multi-stranded piece of music unfolding in inexorable fashion.
Love is in the air with Irreconcilable Differences, each scene distinct and timeless and infused with Shakespeare's brilliantly perceptive penetration of the whole human condition. The show is designed as a Theatre in Education production, coming hot on the heels of a recent visit from Sydney's Bell Touring Theatre and similarly concerned with defusing the pomp and ceremony often associated with Shakespeare. As with Bell, so with Gearstick: the playing is lively, highly articulate and relying almost exclusively on immediacy of acting with a bare minimum of props.
Cormick, Higgs and Mackenzie offer vibrant performances both individually and in ensemble format. If Hanna expertly draws out the wit of Beatrice, she is also capable of resonating fire, as with her Lady Macbeth, while all three actors rhyme powerfully in a scene from Antony and Cleopatra. Mackenzie also brings variety and passion to her various scenes, notably as Isabella in Measure For Measure and Hermione in The Winter's Tale although last night I thought there was slight falloff in vocal clarity with her Lady Percy.
Concerning Craig Higgs' contribution, I don't think I've ever seen him in better form, completely controlled and measured in delivery but at the same time utterly unafraid to explore his characters' dark side in menacing and electric style, as with his Hamlet and Macbeth. All three actors in fact mesh excellently, united by incisive realisation of text.
Michelle Gaul deserves plaudits first for devising this lively theatrical scenario, and second for securing such in-your-face playing from her cast. Shakespeare was never like this in my high school days, when we sat in the classroom awkwardly reading the plays aloud, bored witless in the process. Today's high school kids are lucky by comparison, particularly if they take the opportunity to catch a show like Irreconcilable Differences.
Irreconcilable Differences will be touring secondary schools throughout the Riverina during August.