(extra)ordinary, (un)usual is a beautifully crafted and delivered selection of monologues, performed at the New Theatre in Newtown in mid-November.
V.D. - Eliza St John
The monologues are an eclectic variety of original and contrasting monologues, all well written by award-winning Australian playwright Pete Malicki. Each monologue features a different protagonist with a different situation, bringing the project a wonderful freshness of transition and a sense of the world around us.
The Flowers - Rosemary Ghazi
These performances are also brought to life so believably and intricately by a talented cast, of Rosemary Ghazi (Co-Producer), Sarah North, Nat Backhouse, Scott Grimley, Charlotte Connor, Jessica Heath, Eliza St John and Lewis Scamozzi. The cast each spectacularly convey their character's personalities so well, whether it be through the unbearably hilarious delivery of Malicki's humour or the animated prodding of society and life the way we know it.
Frenemy - Jessica Heath
Malicki's scripts are strong across all the Monologues performed - each performance has its own mood and setting. The opening performance was the comedy 'V.D.', which left audience members in stitches with lines such as "Did you ever notice how Valentine's Day shares the same initials as venereal disease?" and deals with the suspicion that arises when the protagonist receives a Valentine's gift from an unknown admirer. This script is electric performed by Eliza St John, whose personality and talent is stunningly showcased in this stellar performance.
Screams And Whispers - Charlotte Connor
Another standout script is 'The Flowers', which confronts audiences with the darkly despairing situation of the main character who suffers from everyone and everything around him dying upon contact. The quirky, thought-provoking and intriguing premises that these monologues are based on are developed through astonishing arcs with considerable characterisation for a ten-minute play with just one actor per performance.
A Psychopath - Scott Grimley
The whole performance, although composed of several smaller ones, was also very well connected through each character's oddities of situation, but also through the delightful hosting of Lewis Scamozzi. Transitions were clean and professional and the project was a pleasure to attend, from start to finish. The venue itself was a pleasure to be in as well, and its intimate space further developed the monologues.
Dragula - Nat Backhouse
The confronting nature of many of the monologues and the realistic protagonists make for more than just entertainment - the monologues are provoking yet appealing. It's a perfect performance to attend for a taste of exhilarating clarity in what we would see as otherwise 'normal' people's lives. Strong language and mild drug references however mean that these performances are recommended for a mature audience, although older teenagers and drama students could greatly benefit from the experience of Malicki's intelligent script writing and the cast's inspiring performances.
Shallow, Quick - Sarah North
Overall, it was an astonishingly brilliant night of theatre that was truly inspiring, and I was very glad to catch it in this season. Its popularity led to a successful season this November but they may possibly return in May 2014.
The Monologue Project - (extra)ordinary, (un)usual
The Monologue Project - (extra)ordinary, (un)usual
