Tilt 1

Tilt is an evening of short performances, the culmination of three years’ work from WAAPA’s Performance Making Students. Run in two short seasons, these annual performances are a highlight on many people’s theatrical calendars and this year is no exception. The first of Tilt’s programmes features 5 very different shows which demonstrate a wealth of acting, writing, choreographic, directing, and design talent.

First up is the day the moon fell from the sky written by Jaimee Whirledge and directed by Harrison Lorenz-Daniel. As things begin to fracture, Finegan looks to the sky and discovers that the moon is missing. What at first appears to be an exploration of children's play turns into something much deeper, with numerous actors playing the same role, in a show with multiple layers. Actor/Devisors Anja Starkiss, Atira Shack, Katie Walsh and Liam Crevola work together with cohesion and warmth to create a striking little play.

Oh What a Pretty Painting is a (more-or less) one woman coming-of-age drama set against the imposing presence of the “most romantic painting”, The Mona Lisa. Thoughtfully written and directed by Phoebe Jade Wood, it features performer/designer (and sound designer) Alicia Lori Selkirk in the central role, with Liam Crevola curiously and interestingly cast as the enigmatic Mona Lisa.

Hip Hip Hooray is a movement dominated piece made and performed by Mackenzie Brown that explores the humanity of people such as Rupert Murdoch. This performer’s commitment to the piece is admirable, and the performance steps outside the bounds of its performance time – adding an interesting touch.

A touch of The Twilight Zone or Black Mirror with the spooky but bizarre piece Pseudo. Written by Parker Horne and Adam Snyman, it is directed by and features the dramaturgy of Gabriella Munro. Ordinary bloke Clive Butler (a very likeable Parker Horne) lives an ordinary life until he finds himself in a small town where a murder has taken place, and all of the residents (Adam Snyman and Eve Miller in gloriously manic performances) look strangely alike. Additional cameos are nicely played by Katie Walsh and Phoebe Jade Wood. A likeable (if sinister) show that captured the audience’s attention.

To finish the evening, we were treated to How to Break a Chair. Featuring a FORSA lamp and a POANG chair as well as performer/devisors Jaimee Whirledge and Henry O’Brien, it looks at a chair and a lamp who are trying to be enough in a world that constantly wants more. Directed by Bronte Francis, this unusual short show asks some great questions.

A very varied night of theatre that had broad appeal and was a great showcase of the varied talents of this course. I look forward to Part Two.

Kimberley Shaw