Review-Thinner than Water-Aurora Theatre
5-3-15
Are there some families where blood is actually thinner than water?
Aurora Theatre’s latest production, “Thinner than Water” aims at finding out.
Martin is a no good, drunken, emphysemic, occasionally comical father who has married three different women and spawned a child with each. But, we never get to meet this reputable man, as he is dying at his home under the care of his current girlfriend, Gwen. Meanwhile, his children are left to pick up the fragmented lives he has left behind.
His oldest daughter, Renee (Andrea Nodroum-Ellinger) has taken on the martyr-like task of trying to take care of every else – both of her half-siblings, as well as her own husband (Brad Powers) and two children. Gary (Nikil Inaya) is a thirty-something child-man who still lives with his mother and works in a comic book shop with his friend Benji (Andrew Harnett). While the youngest, Cassie (Natalie Lund) can’t seem to take responsibility for herself or anything else in her life.
Through a series of two and three person scenes we meet the siblings, their families, friends, lovers and acquaintances. By way of these other relationships, it is made evident how the dissension in this family affects all those around them. Renee finds her marriage imploding. Cassie pushes away Henry (David Tsim), the one man who loves her loves her despite her flaws. Gary is making flailing attempts to improve himself by assisting Angela (Nicole Garbellini) and her family. And, as in all families, whether real or imagined, some matters work out – others fully disintegrate.
The ongoing bleak dynamics in this play make it an emotionally draining task to portray. While there are a lot of comedic and lighter moments in the play, the tensions rarely give way, making for a rich yet difficult task for the actors. It was evident that director Brad Powers and the performers fully understood these characters, as the tone in their voices and the way in which they held themselves clearly revealed their inner conflicts. However, it didn’t seem that they fully settled into these characters for the first quarter of the drama. Their initial movements seemed a bit contrived. However, as the evening progressed, they settled into these characters and really brought them to life, creating fully believable individuals and character dynamics.
The script by Melissa Ross is well developed as tensions are skillfully built. The insights into each of these characters are gradually revealed but it isn’t until the last few scenes that we fully understand where many of the conflicts have arisen.
That said, the playwright created a very difficult task for any director and ensemble by creating a lot of scenes that require different settings. The director did well in maintaining tension through sound design and using some dramatic pauses to allow moments to settle. But the limited space of the Fringe Club, long scene changes and set design created some long pauses between the action. If these could be tightened up, it would help maintain the momentum of the piece.
The entire ensemble worked well together. They helped create a clear picture of this man who we never see. Many in the audience were talking about how much they related to this piece and saw parts of their own family being played out – Art imitating Life. Andrea Nodroum-Ellinger drove the evening with her unflinching portrayal of the rigid and uncompromising matriarch of this mismatched family. Jessica MacClellan provided some great torn yet comedic moments as the only person in story who mourns this tragic man. Andrew Harnett added some much needed comedic balance to the performance as he searches for a mate. The show is not a bad piece but rather one that has not reached its full potential. I’m interested to see what audience members say later in the run.
Aurora Theatre is continually bringing new, edgy and insightful pieces to the Hong Kong stage. They bring us pieces that highlight the acting prowess of our local performers and allow us all to take a different look at the world around us.
Thinner than Water is playing at the Fringe Club through March 7th. It will also have a second run at the Premium Sofa Club in Sheung Wan as the second guest production for Brave Heart's 'Love Matters' season from March 16-18. For more information, click here.
Comments
Mark Jones
Not bad but an ensemble piece is not judged by the quality of the best actor but by the quality of the worst. This was a very uneven cast. Enjoyed it though overall. Good script. Set changes were my major issue - get mimimalist people!
05 March 2015Nicholas Terrick
Care to be specific on your comment, Mark?
08 March 2015