4x4x4 - Know Your Enemy

With the Fringe World Festival just around the corner, a small group of people were given the opportunity to ‘get their fringe on’ early, with a media only preview of 4x4x4 at the Actors Hub.

4x4x4 is a fascinating concept. Almost Repertory Theatre, four actors appear in four different productions over four nights, over four weeks. Patrons can see the four shows over four consecutive nights, or they can show up on each Thursday, for example, over the four weeks of Fringe World, and see four different shows.

The four featured performers are 3rd Year Graduates of ‘The Gap’ at The Actors’ Hub.

In Know Your Enemy, the previewed production, “Hope comes up against the four horseman of the apocalypse.” In an apocalyptic world, brothers Lachie (Nicholas Allen) and Oscar (Adam Droppert) have captured an alien. When they’re joined by their band of fellow survivors, including the timid Will (Andrew Dustan) and Max, a protective father (Christian Tomasewski), we discover the reasons for the apocalypse and that the captured alien has more power than they expect.

Nicholas Allen commands the stage as older brother and nominal leader, Adam Droppert brings great depth to the complex and conflicted Oscar. Christian Tomasewski is very credible as a father with a secret - creating a convincing relationship with daughter Emily, while Andrew Dunstan gives a layered performance as the struggling Will.

In this play we also have two guest performances. Gap 2 Student Glen Wallis manages outstanding stillness and gravitas in a silent and often still performance of the alien, in amazing makeup by Makayla Deacon. Madison Crewes, at almost seventeen, is gorgeous as fourteen year old Emily, a vulnerable symbol of hope, and the image of her actor mother in this very demanding role.

The four key performers demonstrate outstanding skills as these emotionally charged characters and it would be interesting to see them in multiple roles over the series.

Jamie Davies’ box like set has the actors performing behind glass walls, and at times with the barriers, strong underscoring and high emotions, it is difficult to hear every word. It is worth the effort - as the story is strong and there are some excellent elements, including outstanding special effects, by Bryce Fenwick.

It is great to see a new venue in Perth. In this production, the versatile black box is used in transverse style. This space also features productions Behind You and Onset during FringeWorld, in addition to the remaining 4x4x4 shows, Pool (No Water), One Punch Wonder and Why?

4x4x4 is a unique venture at Fringe World and is an excellent showcase of some promising, emerging performers. Whether you choose to see one show, or four, 4x4x4 would be a fulfilling addition to a keen theatregoers’ Fringe World selection.

Kimberley Shaw