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The Blue Orphan Catalyst Theatre Group Dir: Jonathan Christenson Scott Theatre - University Of Adelaide, Feb 20 - Mar 5 The Blue Orphan, by Canada's Catalyst Theatre Group is a production that's heavily laden with characters from many different, mostly insignificant backgrounds from the small town of Crooked Creek, each with opposing views, hopes, dreams, regrets and secrets. Yet, by the strength of a simple metaphor, that being the greater effect of a single flutter of a butterfly wing way off in a Brazilian jungle, their lives become inextricably linked, and with a storm approaching their individual fates will soon be realised. Interweaving poetic dialogue, operatic songs with an extremely compelling musical score and lighting that commands a full palette of colours shone upon a series of layered calico drop sheets, over the course of the next ninety minutes each of these faceless passers-by's stories are told and juxtaposed alongside their counterpart's past, present and ultimate future. Though partly guided by an orphan boy Jonah, played by Chris Fassbender, and beautifully co-narrated in song throughout by a mythical butterfly played by Sheri Somerville, many of the oral accounts might have quickly fallen by the wayside if not for the powerful scripting and each of the player's succinct connection towards the eventual ending. The Blue Orphan may not have the easiest of plots to establish, or to follow, but it's the passive and empathetic method of the telling of the townsfolk's tales, together with the illustrative and perfectly timed use of lights, piano, strings and a xylophone to accentuate the player's actions and emotions that makes this experience so aesthetically pleasing to the eye and ears. An adult fairy tale that you're going to want to embrace and believe in, because through tragedy and loss some dreams do come true. |
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