‘Talc’ & ‘Two Gates’

The Tap Gallery is converted into a “white box” theatre for this performance of two one-act plays.

 Subtle Nuance TheatreTAP Gallery, Sydney Wednesday, 14 July, 2010
The Tap Gallery is converted into a “white box” theatre for this performance of two one-act plays.  Talc is the story of a young couple who face the challenges of inner-city hardworking young couple while courting and committing to life together. The chemistry between our two actors Jo Richards and Lucas Connolly is for the most part believable and the dynamic of over-zealous and understated that is brought by the actors allows the performance to even out in the end. 
The skewed moral-compass in the script by Daniela Giorgi is topical and well handled. The themes are common and very real. The physicality and stage direction assist in pulling your focus and the well-paced dialogue let the viewer roll along with the piece without the need to glance at your watch. 
Jo Richards is the understated stand out here, though Connolly cannot go without mention as his interpretation of the script provided the light and shade in the piece against Richard’s almost constant monotone. 
The audience is easily able to empathise with the characters and although Richard’s ‘Kate’ may have an augmented reaction to an otherwise common scenario, her thought provoking dialogue is certainly something to consider. 
Regardless of this being Giorgi’s own thoughts or a social conscience piece it is a well crafted and well acted emotional hour of “must-see” live theatre. 
Two Gates is a superbly acted one-woman show performed by Heidi Lupprian. Her character is determine to grab the future with both hands though is being tied down by her past. This is a well written, funny and taut script from Paul Gilchrist. 
Lupprian takes the audience on a journey- literally. Her impersonations of others and resonant  singing ability are a notch or two below her operatic talents however no less striking or appealing.
Whilst the subject matter holds great weight, it is a testament to Lupprian’s ability that the audience is served such a powerful message in a subtle yet beautiful manner. 
Heidi’s stage presence is unquestionable and the 45 minute show seems like it wraps up in half that time. There is barely a dull moment to be had and one finds the performance is over all too quickly. 
The concept that everything is made bigger by just adding ‘one’ is simple yet effective. This elementary idea that minds can be moulded and lessons can be learnt by harking back to basics is something we forget in our busy lives. Sometimes it takes works like this to remind us of this fact. 
The props in both pieces were effectively used and the repetitive sound loop used in the scene changes of Talc was cleverly designed. 
The lighting, whilst not being a distraction, could have been better executed. Particularly in Two Gates to illustrate the transition from plane to airport terminal. One clever lighting design is illustrated in the production still for Talc that shows our couple in bed (above), but they are laid against the wall. This was cleverly executed and provided a nice visual break from the overexposed white wash that made up much of the play. 
Talc and Two Gates are two well acted and cleverly written pieces that provoke thought, hold your interest and provide laughs in unexpected places that urge us to take a look at yourselves and evaluate priorities to highlight our true beliefs and value ourselves as human beings. 
Until 1 August 2010
Bookings: subtlenuancetheatre@yahoo.com.au 0403 762 212