Orlando

WAAPA’s Orlando is an excellent ensemble piece, performed by WAAPA Third Year Performance Making students, with design and production support provided by WAAPA Production and Design students. Expertly acted, Orlando includes a great deal of shared storytelling, with strong stage music and at times an almost Bollywood feel.

Playing on a highly movable set designed by Ella Firns, that is well utilised throughout, time and place (very integral to this story) are often defined by Michaela Goby’s sympathetic and very complex lighting design and by the clever, often symbolic costuming designed by Elisa von Perger. 

Performance Making students have a hand in this production well beyond simply performing, and this show includes two student associate directors (Gabriella Munro and Harrison Lorenz-Daniel), and students provide music and choreography, as well as clearly having input into the shape of the production.

Highly physical, the production includes co-ordinated movement, live music from performers Harrison Lorenz Daniel, Alicia Selkirk, Harper Nguyen and Adam Snyman, well managed by sound designer Brendan Dietrich, roller skating and sporadic large scale dance numbers. Movement is well supported by a team including movement coach Jeremy Neideck, movement director Tash Erbich, fight co-ordinator Natassja Norwood and Intimacy Director Gabrielle Metcalf, as well as hip hop team, students Harper Nguyen and Adam Snyman.

Central character Orlando is beautifully crafted by Bronte Frances, who plays this character in both male and female form, over the hundreds of years of their life. All performances are strong in this dynamic ensemble, but standout characterisations include Orlando’s love interests Marmaduke (a charming Liam Crevola), and Sasha (an enigmatic and mysterious Atira Shack). Lovely teamwork from the trio of short-lived romances Favilla (Eve Miller), Clorinda (Katie Walsh) and Euphrosyne (Anja Starkiss). Ardent pursuers of Orlando, The Queen and the Archduke/Archduchess are played with great energy by Parker Horne and Henry O’Brien. Phoebe Jade Wood plays Grimsditch with aplomb, but also shines as a terrier.

Strong support and co-ordination throughout from Liam Longley, Shinade Mourambine, Gabriella Munro, Harper Nguyen, Alicia Selkirk, Adam Snyman Harrison Lorenz-Daniel and Jamie Whirledge. 

This is a strong cohort with a lovely sense of community, who perform with strength and warmth. Orlando is a dynamic production that is a pleasure to watch. 

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Stephen Heath