Unbearable Things (reviews)

From Urban Press

Hamilton, New Place Theatre, 2011

Written and directed by David Foote.

Unbearable Things, a play based on the sensational 1930s and 1940s story of exotic Auckland dancer Freda Stark, is nothing like its name suggests.

The play's writer and director, Urban Vineyard's David Foote, of Hamilton, had long been interested in the story of Stark, her lover Thelma Mareo and Thelma's husband Eric, so he decided to put his own spin on what might have led Eric to be charged with his wife's murder

Due to the level of creative license taken, Foote has changed the character's names to Dora Hart and Adele and Milos Radev, but the story remains recognisable enough to leave a feeling of wanting to know the original.

Urban Vineyard's newcomer Michelle Burne, who plays Dora, was audibly nervous to start, but as she was stripping in the fashion of stark and singing solo, it was excusable. Burne's voice went from strength to strength throughout the evening, as did her acting and solo scenes.

Carl Watkins as Milos was a convincing foreign national, and not adverse to stripping either.

Lydia Foley, Ngaia Copeland and Natalie Foster all performed well in their supporting roles, but it was Katie Hansen as Adele who really made the show.

Hansen acted without overacting, and injecting some 21st century mannerisms into her character in a way which made them seem timeless.

Finding Waikato University's small New Place Theatre can be a challenge but Unbearable Things will make it worth your while.

(Louise Risk 6/07/2011, p A3)