Tilt

Tilt is an annual showcase of short works from Final Year Performance Making Students completing a Bachelor of Performing Arts at WAAPA. Consisting of two different programs over two weeks, this review is of the second program, a very varied night of entertainment.

The first piece is Cowboys and Indians written by Fletcher Scully and directed by Shontae Wright. Clever and witty satire, it tells of a young man (a beautifully earnest Fletcher Scully) who teams with cowgirl Jane (a very clever performance by Tahna Johnson) as he sets off in search of his Native American mother. On the way they are joined by a couple of robbers (lovely teamwork from Sam Rumpel and Reuben Mungoo) before their journey is interrupted by a mysterious outlaw (a steadfast Kurtis Brown) who turns out to be a hero’s long lost uncle.

Well costumed by Tahna Johnson, the show is intelligent and witty and features a sound design by Kurtis Brown - who also directed the well-executed movement sequences.

Road Moving might almost be a new genre - typed theatre. Director/Deviser Isobel Finnie communicates with the audience and two volunteer audience members who have never seen the work, through typed instructions from her laptop, as she asks 2 of 7.951 billion people to question how we continue in a world constantly on the brink. Compelling and fascinating (although a little frustrating if you are bothered by spelling errors as Isobel ties at lightning speed) this is a very different theatre piece.

After interval Femoid, thoughtfully written by Iris Warren explores what happens to the joy of girlhood as it reaches the reality of womanhood against verbatim comments from online forums within the Intel community. Directed by Izabella Day, it features beautiful and moving performancess from Iris Warren (Rory), Rosin Wallace-Bash (Piper) and Natasha Pearson (Olive) and a tragic loss of innocence.

The Sink, according to the program is a physical movement piece, set in a kitchen, that explores our hidden desires through mythical sprite-like characters. I wouldn’t have known this from watching it. Directed by Lucy Nunn, this short piece features very committed performances from Jiarui Lin, Emily Jenkins, Kurtis Brown, Oliver Clare and Talia Zipper.

The ultimate work, Eat Shit! Is an absurdist look at consumption. Devised by the director and cast, it was directed by Harry Kent, and featured solid and likeable performances from Iris Warren and Oliver Clare. A likeable and very watchable piece that knew where it was going.

A varied evening that showcased the talents of these young performances, devisers, directors and actors. 

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Stephen Heath