THIS year's season of Theatre Practicum student productions has ended with the successful staging of
plays with an unusual array of themes and talent.The season opened with the presentation of Mountain Language and Outraged at the CQU Drama Studio on May 15 and 16.
Producer and designer, Malcolm Miller portrayed Harold Pinter's play Mountain Language in a more religious and symbolic light.
Although some of the play was rewritten, there was still an element of the original's political black comedy.
With similarities to George Orwell's 1984 , the play was very powerful yet bawdy, using explicit language and sexual insinuations.
The play was based on oppression and the totalitarian control of society as it is in1984.
The set became a great tool for the actors with a range of levels and space, including the doorway to the studio and the balcony.
Costuming was also effective, and gave the audience the impression the play was set in the future.
Rommel Del Valle (Sergeant), David Smeaton (Officer) and Ryan Cheetham (Guard) were very dominating in their roles as leading figures.
In contrast, Kelli Graham (Old woman) and Ann-Maree Lee (Young Woman) were convincing in their portayals of lower class peasants.
Overall, Mountain Language was an interesting and courageous production.
Outraged, written and directed by Cheryl Draper, is a story of two people's struggle to be recognised as equal in society.
The play revolves around discrimination and the fight for equality for everyone.
Presented in theatre-in-the-round style, the set created a visually stimulating experience, with flourescent lighting and posters along the surrounding walls.
The realism of the play was startling and gave a great feeling of strength and courage in the two main actors' roles.
Kellie McAndrew (Leonie) portrayed the role of a woman dealing with obesity, and Cameron Dillon (Matt) played the homosexual man striving for equality.
The play ended with a ritualistic dance routine in black cloaks marked with flourescent symbols.
With its rythmical moves and charismatic tune, the finale left a wonderful lasting impression.
Carry on Macbeth, written by Lana Vonhoff, was staged on May 22 and 23.
The comedy was set in a high school drama class, and was greatly amusing with the actors' energy and enthusiasm creating a lively atmosphere.
The references to Shakespeare's Macbeth were portrayed well so that none of the lengthy, often boring scenes of Shakespeare were evident.
Particularly outstanding performances came from the three witches, played by Kristie Holgate, Sue Latimer, and Maria Ventura, who turned into a pop music trio, and danced and sang their way through scenes.
Macbeth and Banquo (Max Walters and Dwayne Leslie) were most amusing in their army uniforms and clumsy gestures.
Melissa Kubler (Doctor) ended the play with a touch of murder/mystery with a sinster but humorous 'who done it?' involving the whole cast.
The actors can be congratulated on their commitment and dedication to the productions.
Shannon Kunst