Cosi

While Roleystone Theatre (the building) is being rebuilt, Roleystone Theatre (the company) are temporarily performing at Roleystone Hall. While this Community Hall is limiting the show choice in many ways (the company needs to bump-out between most performances and cannot use a complex set), there have been some inspired choices of show that are embracing this unusual venue, and Cosi uses this space to its advantage.

Set in a burnt out theatre, director Stephen Carr has seated the audience cabaret style around the hall leaving an open “hall” playing space in the middle, with the stage at one end. This creates a smaller theatre within the larger space, perfect for this show. Much of the audience is within arm's reach of the  performers, creating an experience that is very intimate, and given the nature of some of the characters, occasionally unsettling.

University graduate Lewis arrives at a mental asylum to direct some of the residents in a play. He is unexpectedly railroaded into directing the Mozart Opera Cosi Fan Tutti, despite the fact that nobody in the cast can speak Italian, and nobody in the cast can sing.

There are some top notch performances. Samuel Ireland is excellent as central character Lewis, a role he has played before, and whom he plays with great depth and nuance. Geoffrey Leeder is wonderful and loveable as antagonist Roy, whose dream it is to perform Cosi Fan Tutti - Geoff gives a top-notch performance that is heightened and high energy but always believable. Peter Carr, playing patient Henry for the third time, is still fresh and strong in this role. T “Mutta” Beilby finds lots to do with the sometimes catatonic Zac, in an impressive performance.

Diana Moss brings beautiful optimism and enthusiasm to the perpetually positive but fierce Cherry, Amber Gilmour gives a beautifully layered portrayal of drug addict Julie, while Ashleigh Kate Ryan is lovely as Ruth.