Whats On Production Oleanna (2006)
1st September


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Oleanna (2006)

Directed By
Jane Martin

Producer
Francis Pindar
Production Type
Nomads Production

Production Location
Studio Theatre


Genre: Drama

User Rating: (4/5 with 1 votes)

Flier Summary:

by David Mamet

A college student, Carol, drops by her professor's office in a effort to gain his help to do better in class. John, the professor, is in the midst of buying a house to celebrate his nomination for tenure, at first seems distant. By the end of the meeting, however, it seems as if a bond has been made. Or has it? Over the next two encounters tensions increase, but will they resolve their differences or will their relationship spiral out of control?

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd

*** NEW BOOK ONLINE ***

Box Office: 01483 284747



Production Dates & Prices:
(Please note Booking Information)

 Date
Time
Price
 
 Saturday 1st April 2006
8:00pm
£6.00
 Tuesday 4th April 2006
8:00pm
£6.00
 Wednesday 5th April 2006
8:00pm
£6.00
 Thursday 6th April 2006
8:00pm
£6.00
 Friday 7th April 2006
8:00pm
£6.00
 Saturday 8th April 2006
8:00pm
£6.00


Cast: (in programme order)
Nick Williams ... John
Emma Lyons ... Carol

Crew: (in programme order)
Jane Martin ... Director
Francis Pindar ... Producer
Sarah Bayes ... Costume Design



Official Review:
Oleanna—the review
Reviewer: Tony Flook
David Mamet’s ‘Oleanna’ can be viewed in any number of ways. It can be seen as an example of political correctness gone mad. Possibly it’s an illustration of feminism at its most extreme. Maybe it’s an allegory for anarchy where experience and authority count for nothing. Certainly it shows the severe consequences of failure to communicate. All these elements are right there in this thought-provoking play; it depends on the director’s and actors’ interpretations as to how they are unlocked and presented.

In the first scene Carol, a confused student at an American college consults John, her professor, about her concerns. When the curtain rises on the second act, she has slapped a sexual harassment charge on John – it’s the play’s major weakness that this sudden change of attitude and Carol’s dramatic, new-found confidence are not explained and are inconsistent with what’s gone before. John’s attempt at reconciliation in the last act goes disastrously wrong and, by the end, we know that he will suffer even more from the implacable Carol.

The Nomads’ tiny studio theatre, seating less than 40, was ideal for this claustrophobic, humourless, two-hander. The audience was close enough to move in, pull the protagonists apart and shake some sense into them. Yet, somehow, I didn’t feel involved enough to want to, as neither engaged my sympathy more than briefly.

Emma Lyons developed the character of Carol meticulously, from her low-key uncertainty at the start, to her vitriolic crescendo. Her American accent never seemed forced as she went through her full range of emotions; her pace, voice control and body language brought out the best from every line and situation. It was a high calibre performance, from first to last.

We should, though, have empathised with John as he fell from being the pompous, self-satisfied tutor to the shell of a man whose life is in ruins. Unfortunately, there was no cross-over where our allegiance might have switched as Carol took control while John fell apart. Nick Williams kept his character aloof right to the end and we did not see enough of the turmoil we knew he was suffering.

This interpretation, which must have reflected director Jane Martin’s vision of the play, highlighted some valid issues. I would, though, like to have seen John show more humanity so that I could have felt at least a little more warmth for him as his world crumbled around him.

reproduced by permission of The Surrey Mirror


Related News:
Jan 2006 AUDITIONS: Oleanna


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