Magnificent play with no weak links
ONE of the hallmarks of Townsville’s Theatreinq is its strong sense of ensemble, and never is this more true than in its latest offering, Blood Will Have Blood, which opened on Friday evening.
Director Terri Brabon achieved significant success with her first two adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays about the Wars of the Roses, itself an inspiration for the recent TV phenomenon, Game of Thrones. Always faithful to the text, she has cohesively adapted two of the Bard’s plays – Henry VI Part III (seldom performed) (Act One) and the much-adapted Richard III (Act Two) into a cohesive marathon threehour production. (Take a blanket by the way as it gets a bit chilly).
This play deals with the court machinations, treachery and duplicity among the Houses of
Lancaster and York as they jockey for power and the ultimate prize – the English crown. During the course of the evening, we see the crown pass from Henry VI to Edward IV, Edward V, Richard III and finally to Henry VII.
Characteristically, Brabon has again combined these plays into a narrative with sweep, majesty and a certain magnificence. The set with its medieval Christ icon and
Gothic arches set the scene for a world which is curiously (but not ineffectively) inspired by the 1980s. To this she adds a sometimes harsh metal soundtrack, eclectic haircuts, flawless fight choreography and a House of York which resembles a bikie gang in black fatigues and combat boots.
Of course, there are the occasional touches of humour to lighten an otherwise relentless battleground, but she also continues her motif of the seraphim. Resembling Harry Potter’s Dementors, these are sinister faceless cloaked creatures whose entrances preface death and transport the hapless victim(s) ostensibly into the next world.
It is the 29-strong ensemble cast that carries the production. There is not a single weak link in the acting stakes with each cast member contributing with precision and energy to propel the narrative along at a cracking pace.
In the first half, Brabon gives a ferocious rendering of Margaret of Anjou (latterly Queen of England), milking every element for its worth in her portrayal of this intelligent and ruthless woman who easily dominates her husband and fiercely vies for power with her enemies. Her performance was true to the contemporary descriptions of her as a woman of “valiant courage and undaunted spirit“. It has been 11 years since Brendan O’connor last stepped into the role of “the lump of foul deformity” as Richard III. This time he looks for all the world like the leader of a bikie gang, and gives an astounding take on Shakespeare’s notorious villain reviled not only for his appearance but also for his ruthless Machiavellian machinations.
The third standout performance was James Thomasson in the relatively small role as Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond who defeats Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field to become Henry VII. A remarkable stage presence combined with impressive vocal work. Townsville is extremely fortunate to have such a theatre company in our midst, something that I am sure anyone who has ever seen their productions will attest fiercely to. Indeed, its loyal audience base is testament itself to the company’s worth.
This being the case, it makes me wonder when Council are going to wake up to the value of this and invest in this company the way it should. History has shown that there is a direct correlation to the mental wellbeing of our community and the state of the arts in that community. There is more need now than ever before for considered and informed support to be given – both financially and otherwise. Without this, our community suffers at so many different levels.
• Book until September 26 at www.theatreinq.com