Left - David Passmore{jumi[slides/slide.php][disappear0508.php]}
How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found tells the story of Charlie, a young executive, who comes across an old friend and is drawn to the dark side, raising the question: we can change our names, our clothes and our addresses, but can we ever escape who we really are?
The play by Fin Kennedy won the prestigious Arts Council England John Whiting Award for New Writing in 2005 and the Hoy Polloy production at the Mechanics Institute is an Australian Premiere. The company should be congratulated for bringing such daring and confronting work to Australian audiences. The characters and plot are credible and the issues raised are relevant.
Director Paul King is a loyal member of the Hoy Polloy production team, having directed Frozen by Bryony Lavery in 2006 and most recently was set designer for the company’s last production Boston Marriage by David Mamet. His direction was clear and slick, the naturalistic style succeeding in providing the audience the opportunity to occasionally forget they were even watching a play. David Passmore as Charlie was appropriately vulnerable and engaging. The rest of the cast, comprised of Tory Rodd, Michael F Cahill, Glen Hancox and Helen Hopkins, supported David beautifully and worked together like a well-oiled ensemble.
The set, also designed by Paul King, was simple, yet efficient, changing seamlessly to represent several different locations, allowing the audience to focus on the story rather than the set changes.
Hoy Polloy seems to be a company on the rise. If this is an example of the style and standard they are regularly presenting then have they set the bar high and Melbourne audiences have much to look forward to.
How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found plays until June 7th and is definitely worth a look.
Hoy Polloy presents the Australian première of
How To Disappear Completely And Never Be Found
by Fin Kennedy
Venue: Mechanics Institute Performing Arts Centre, Corner Sydney & Glenlyon Roads, Brunswick
Dates: 23 May – 7 June 2008
Times: Tuesday to Saturday 8.15pm; Sundays 5.00pm
Tickets: $30 Adult, $20 Concession / Groups 10+, $18 Tuesdays
Bookings: 03 9016 3873 |
Hoy Polloy Blog: hoypolloytheatre.blogspot.com
