Hell's Canyon

This is a finely crafted text that addresses coming of age issues from an insider perspective. Sheehan’s sharp and raw dialogue captures the snide belligerence that often characterises millennial teen speak. This is nicely contrasted with moments in the play that are more surreal. Here the text becomes rich and poetic, effectively taking the characters into mystical realms.

Caitlin (Freya Patience) and Oscar (Benjamin Nichol) have a relationship which is blighted by more than the stereotypical problems affecting teenagers and young adults. Patience and Nichol establish a good chemistry on stage although the intensity of emotion of the language is not always sufficiently matched by their performance. The deeply heart-wrenching circumstances they must face require some more absorption than the rhythm of their delivery sometimes permits. However, the poignancy of the finale sees both performers become more zealous, and their exchanges become more compelling. Patience particularly manages Caitlin’s final monologue with great tenderness.

The recording of this performance conveys the accomplishments of this production well. Taking a traditional approach, the camera alternates between long shots, mid-shots and the occasional close-up to create a good level of intimacy. The simple yet clever set design exploits lighting and sound for the contrasting emotional and psychological phases of the story and the characters. This all translates well onto the screen and helps to highlight many of the fine qualities this production has to offer.

Patricia Di Risio 

Vimeo link: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/hellscanyon.