Beautiful Burnout

Beautiful Burnout is a Scottish play that explores the world of boxing - both the passion and love for the sport as well as its potential for damage. Explored through young boxers including a young Cameron Burns, and from the outside from the perspective of Cameron’s mother, this 90-minute play was performed by half of the current WAAPA Third Year Acting Cohort, and crewed, designed, and built by WAAPA Production and Design Students.

Like Beautiful Burnout’s co-production Girl Asleep, the audience are seated on three sides of the playing space, but in this production at some points, it serves to make us feel like the spectators at a boxing match. For the most part though, Mel Lim’s set design transforms the Enright Studio into Bobby Burgess’ Gym, including such ring of truth details as a water dispenser without cups, battered lockers and photos. Amaru Zachariassen’s sound design pulls us firmly into action, while lighting designers Jay Civic. Isla Kerridge and Declan Fyneman, help to facilitate multiple locales and support movement sequences.

This cast are show fit with a difference, and have obviously trained extensively, with some characters very physically active for all the 90 mins - running, skipping, performing sit-ups punching and dragging punching bags. They are obviously muscled and well-trained.

Joshua Everett plays Cameron Burns, once again his baby-faced good looks pushing him into younger roles. An outstanding central performance, he charts a fascinating journey in a compelling performance. Bridget Bourke, looking like a multi-generational Scot with her red locks, is convincing as Cameron’s loving and concerned mother, Carlotta. Like all of the cast, she sports a convincing Scottish accent, and as the outsider, she is the audience’s view into the world.

Fellow boxers include Riley Warner as Ajay Chopra, outspoken hard hitter with his own style, Uisce Goriss-Dazely as Neil Neil focused and keen, and Oliver English as Ainsley Binnie with encyclopaedic knowledge of his sport. Lone lassie Dina Massie is played by Sukyeong Shin. Sporting a tom-boy crop, this chameleon of a performer sounds as if she moved here from Aberdeen last week (sometimes it takes a second to catch up with what she says) and holds her own with the boys - just as her character would - an awesome performance. 

Trainer Bobby Burgess is brought to life in a highly convincing portrayal by Deep Sroa. Outstanding centredness and self-assurance while conveying Bobby’s belief in his own ability. Credit also to offstage swing Antony Press.

Lots of real sweat (from the cast) and tears (from the audience), Beautiful Burnout was a gutsy and gritty performance that was a heavy hitter.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Stephen Heath