Spencer at Chapel Off Chapel - Theatre Review

Spencer at Chapel Off Chapel - Theatre Review

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Posted 2017-05-12 by Jenfollow

Thu 11 May 2017 - Sun 28 May 2017


Spencer at Chapel Off Chapel is a brand new comedy-drama from award-winning Australian playwright Katy Warner. Directed by Sharon Davis, it features Lyall Brooks (actor and producer), Jamieson Caldwell, Jane Clifton, Fiona Harris and Roger Oakley as the glorious dysfunctional Australian family led by matriarch and single mum Marilyn ( Jane Clifton ).

This 90 minute long play has no intervals and be warned, there's STRONG LANGUAGE, but it totally fits in. Recommended for age 15 plus, it's running from 11 to 28 May 2017 from Wednesday to Saturday at 7pm and 2pm on Sundays. There's a strict lock-out policy, so be there at least 15 minutes before. There are refreshments to satiate you as you wait for the housekeeping guidelines. Tickets range from $29 to $39.


Scott ( Jamieson Caldwell ) is about to meet the young son he never knew he had. The whole family has gathered together to celebrate the occasion, including the father ( Roger Oakley ) they barely remember, who makes a surprise appearance. It looks like everyone has come to stay in this family; the wayward daughter Jules ( Fiona Harris ), coulda-been, mouthy son Ben ( Lyall Brooks ), and golden-boy AFL player and mama's favourite, Scott. This family needs to work together to clean up their act and the house, as time ticks down to Spencer's arrival.

Though performing on stage, this is a who's who of stars of the small screen. Most notably Jane Clifton (Prisoner (38 years ago) - as Margo in Cell Block H) and Roger Oakley ( asTom Fletcher - Home and Away 1988-1990). These stars have far from faded and their experience is evident as Jane plays the mother and matriarch with aplomb and Roger is delightful as the long absent husband and father. This family will make you laugh and perhaps even shed a tear in a quietly powerful scene amidst the rukkus. They will slowly ensnare you into their midst as a strongly recognisable yobbo Aussie family that you can't help but feel a part of, and find endearing. This tale of a tight-knit yet fractured family is definitely a 'must-see'. How this huge family with even larger personalities, commanded, yet contained on the literally small stage and made it work, is a miracle in itself.


ART SHOW - Life is a Journey or No Laughing Matter (artist David Kolieb) - till 21 May 2017

Intrigued by Kolieb's first show of paintings and sculptures, I was especially engaged by the sculptures and the beautiful way they were presented complete with amazing objects like the containers they were propped on. David has managed to sculpt and put together characters with no specific facial definitions and made them enjoyable, emotive and evocative.

Bravo I say, and its all there for your viewing pleasure and purchase. Get the blurb from behind the Chapel Off Chapel counter (you might need to ask) and contact the artist on 0417 503 964. At an affordable $600-$800 range, a quarter of the proceeds of each sale will be donated to the Royal Children's Hospital Bioethics Centre. I'm definitely in love with the sculptures.



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!date 11/05/2017 -- 28/05/2017
%wnmelbourne
173319 - 2023-06-15 12:06:47

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