Reviews

Film buffs and theatre goers alike may be a little surprised by this production, yet surely delighted. If you’ve only watched the Hitchcock film, don’t expect a thriller. If you’ve seen previous stage versions, don’t anticipate an exact reproduction of the frenetic physical farce.

Nautanki Theatre have undertaken a play that requires fairly difficult physical choreography and characterisation – and a lot of organisation. This is always hard, especially if moving on to the stage with only a short time to co-ordinate the action and dialogue.

Often this results in awkward hesitations and broken pace, and unfortunately this was the case on opening night.

In a quiet suburban Melbourne street in 2007, wistful lost soul Catherine (Alex McPherson) is drawn into helping to care for an elderly Hungarian widow, Ana (Liz de Totth). Ana is prickly and independent, resisting efforts of an old friend to be sociable, even going so far as to have a large, aggressive dog to intimidate strangers. But Ana recognises the neediness in her neighbour and draws the young woman into her world. Over time both Catherine and the audience are beguiled by Ana’s stories of her early life and hardships in wartime Hungary.

There’s a certain delight in not knowing what you are going to see at the theatre. It’s that special tingle of anticipation in advance and the sense of exhilaration after a performance that sets live theatre apart from all other forms of entertainment.

One of the hits of Melbourne’s 2014 Arts Festival, this little show with its stellar cast and high concepts is poignant, charming, humorous, reflective, humane and an all round delightful piece of theatre.