Women Beware Women

Was a bit unsure before going into the theatre to see “Women Beware Women”. The version this year’s NIDA graduates were going to deliver was a late 17^th century text with a modern adaptation twist. The first half of the play used the Middleton text and the second half the adapted text by Howard Barker. So it is really playing on a dangerous mine field as any missing step can blow up the whole production.

The end result was a surprisingly good production. The premise of the play is quite “Dangerous Liaison”-ish. Wealthy with nothing to do woman playing an aristocratic game that backfired as the power of corruption proved to be too strong and devastating for everyone. Did anyone win? That is not the question as sacrifices were littered all over the place.

Rebecca Johnston as the plotting Livia delivered a marvellous free from any constraint performance. Her transformation between the two acts was right to the point and her eyes were telling all the stories that needed to be told. Annabelle Stephernson as the originally victimised Bianca showed how a will to turn the table could shake everyone to their core. From her original innocence to her later prowling for victim attitude, she demonstrated the transition of her character skilfully. Other memorable characters include Kimberley Hews who played the mother – in fact actually live the Mother character – throughout the whole play. Her gesture and speech had completely embraced the power of her make up and costume, delivering a character way beyond her age. Darren Sabadina’s Ward provided a lot of comic relief as the outrageous husband of Bonnie Sveen’s Isabella. The “marriage” was doomed right from the start and yet so delightful to watch. Martin Harper was a very solid Duke whose intrigue eventually got him tied up. It is a performance by a very solid ensemble cast. The text of both parts, though quite different in style, was delivered masterfully with clear articulations and precise emotional points. This is particularly important when you are performing the late 17^th century text in the first act as it laid all the foundation for part two, so if the story was not clearly told, it will completely destroyed the second act way before it started. The energy level of the whole performance was spectacular. You can actually feel the actors were at ease with the stage and enjoying themselves during the performance, which made it a very exceptional performance.

The stage was filled with rusty mobile structures accompanied by frequent swapping of props. The only constant on stage were the huge candles that were lit in the first act to provide a mystic and intriguing atmosphere for the actions. The candles though remain unlit in the second act, stayed on the stage providing a good sense of continuity for the story. The florescent lights that replaced the candles in the second act provided a good change of atmosphere for the outrageous and raw text in this act. Set designer Teresa Negroponte really managed to use some “simple” tools to help telling a complicated story.

In all NIDA graduates’ “Women Beware Women” was a surprising production that will leave an impression for you even after you left the theatre. Some may found the nudity and language a bit offensive but they surprisingly fit the tone of the play without making you feel awkward. “Women Beware Women” runs till 20 October 2009 at NIDA’s Parade Playhouse.