Categories: Reviews

The True Story of Butterfish

When an international rock star from Brisbane decides to abandon the glamorous world of show business and buys a house in Kenmore, his introduction to a normal life is surprisingly fascinating.

Brisbane Powerhouse & Brisbane Festival 2009
Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm, Brisbane

Friday, October 16, 2009

When an international rock star from Brisbane decides to abandon the glamorous world of show business and buys a house in Kenmore, his introduction to a normal life is surprisingly fascinating.

Nick Earls’ “real life” touch exudes from this production and there’s nothing more enjoyable than watching characters you feel you already know.

Curtis Holland, played by Myles Pollard, has been on tour for what he considers too long. When his band Butterfish falls apart, along with his whirlwind marriage, he decides to head back home to Brisbane and check on the family he left behind. His dad is in a coma, his brother resents his absence, and there is a family of three living next door who are about to change his way of thinking forever. Particularly influential in this change is Annaliese, played by Penny Harpham, who is 16 going on 25. Her inappropriately mature outlook on life and her upfront honesty confronts Holland with the chance to re-evaluate his priorities. Annaliese’s Mum, Kate, played by Caroline Brazier, also gains from Holland’s presence with cooking lessons and a possible new lease on life. Not long after Holland returns home his dad dies and as he struggles with his grief, he has to cope with lessons in family life from his brother and the taxing return of his fellow Butterfish band member Derek.

Nathaniel Dean, who featured in the films Candy and Somersault, shone in this production as both Holland’s brother Patrick and band mate Derek Frick. Patrick is gay, fashionable and most importantly, patient and insightful. Dean brought a quirky sensitivity to the character who was Holland’s rock. In contrast, Derek is nothing more than a painful reminder of the past, and he delivers his obnoxious attitude with vigour. Dean met the challenge of a high number of transitions between the two roles with ease.

Holland is the centre of the story and guides the audience through his emotional journey. Pollard, who may be best known for his role as Nick in TV series McLeod’s Daughters, was comfortable in the stage spotlight, naturally demonstrating Holland’s creative and thoughtful side. He drew the audience in and they could easily forget they were watching a play.

Caroline Brazier, who currently features as Chrissie in another TV series Packed to the Rafters, plays divorcee Kate whose honesty is admirable but also sometimes embarrassing. Brazier delivered the perfect package of coyness and sincerity, streaked with obvious awe for her neighbour Holland.

Harpham and Jason McLaren as her younger ‘Emo’ brother were energetic and forceful, bringing an authenticity to the family next door. Harpham evoked a great no-fear attitude of a teenage girl from a broken family struggling to find her feet in the world.

The clever use of projected images on the back wall of the Powerhouse stage filled the empty space and gave each of the many scenes a distinct atmosphere. With such a large number of scene changes it was imperative they were simple but effective. The versatile set arrangement made each change fast and flowing.

Sound design by Lawrence English was understated, creating Holland’s home among the trees. Evening cricket sounds were a fitting touch for the reclusive ambience.

Director Andrew Ross has built an earnest foundation for Earls’ Brisbane play, capturing the essence of everyday Australian life.