Know Your Role & Our Place

Actually, Acting is an acting school created in 2007 with the mission of helping aspiring actors develop their skills and confidence in the dramatic arts. Students explore and develop their skills, while building their confidence in the process. Artistic Director, Alicia Zorkovic has made a theme of Actually Acting’s the empowerment, of young people. She is passionate about hearing their voices and allowing them to share their fears, dreams and opinions in a safe, constructive and creative way. The choice of Know Your Role written by Brandi Owensby and Terry Gabbard's Our Place, with the bonus of intergenerational actors reflects this commitment to theatre with conscience and purpose.

This performance is just under two hours, featuring first the teenage ensemble who share their battle with expectations of who they are and what they will become in Know Your Role, with a break that allows the construction of a very clever set that was perfect for the setting of Our Place in the second, shorter half. Both are a clever mix of mini- monologues and ensemble pieces and it is clear, in both short plays, that every performer exudes energy and passion for each role.

Star Theatre Two is an intimate 80 seat raked theatre that is set up to ensure that everyone can enjoy and see everything on stage. Director, Zorkovic uses simple props, uncomplicated, but effective lighting, and in the second half, clever sound effects that were evocative and appropriate. Moreover, the very disciplined, well-rehearsed cast move props and furniture like consummate professionals.

The old nursery rhyme about “Little boys are made up of frogs, snails, and puppy dogs' tails” and little girls being made of “Sugar and spice, and everything nice” pervades the exploration of gender and there are multiple examples of today’s Generation Z’s pushback and fight to be themselves, and on their own terms as one female actor exclaimed, “My body doesn’t come with a comments section.” This first play is a ‘must see’ for young people grappling with the challenges that teenagers face every day.

Our Place is tender and reflective and carries a message for us all. It truly is a piece about finding, knowing and loving the special places where our hearts feel safe. The last few scenes are tear jerkers and I was captivated by pint size Anna whose grasp of dialogue and acting was jam packed with lessons for many experienced adult actors. Speaking of which, the adult actors in Our Place really served to powerfully support and complement the younger actors with both age groups shining in their roles.

These are two tight ensemble pieces and it is impossible to have favourites, but I was moved by several of the monologues, in particular, where a boy shares his estrangement from his gender changing father, hitting the audience hard with the messages about love. Also, a teenage boy grappling to call a girl for a date was witty and very real, the champion female softballer lamenting the differences between valuing and supporting boys’ and girls’ sport (and other achievements), a girl battling school clothing regulations (almost uniformly, (pun intended) an issue for girls), the grandmother and granddaughter choosing ‘girls’ toys and the mother and daughter beauty pageant preparations. Having said that, the large group scene about rules for ‘dating my daughter’ was hilarious.

Unsurprisingly, this double bill is sold out for the four Fringe shows. Keep your eye out for this company and talented performers, and get in early for future shows. Their messages and inspiration will entertain and move you.

Jude Hines  

To check out or round-up of Adelaide Fringe reviews, click here.​