I went to see ‘Atlanta’, the first play by one of Australia’s leading playwrights, Joanna Murray-Smith, currently receiving its first Sydney production. Help Productions has chosen ‘Atlanta’ as its inaugural production with the play being performed at the inner city Tap Gallery.
This was theatre with a big heart on a number of levels. Help Productions is a non profit theatre company that chooses plays that focus on strong social issues. Murray-Smith’s play was the portrait of Atlanta, a young woman suffering from depression. Despite having many good friends, Atlanta ends up losing her battle. Her friend’s wonder what went wrong, why couldn’t they save her.
I found Murray-Smith’s ‘Atlanta’ somewhat ‘young’ and overwrought. This was understandable considering the play had its premiere production by Melbourne’s Playbox theatre back in 1990. Her writing, as evidenced by plays such as ‘Bombshells’ and ‘Nightfall’, has since become far more restrained and sophisticated.
Director Robert Carne’s production went for a warm, personal style of performance. Janelle Merry gave a warm, sensitive performance in the leading role. Other performances of note were by Chris Tangye who played the role of Jack, a traveling pop musician, who demonstrated a big, strong voice, and Simone Oliver as his confident, articulate girlfriend, Grace. Phillippa Iemma was effervescent and spritely as Jess. Tiano Carnemolla, who must be all of about six years old, was impressive playing Atlanta as a young girl.
