Review - Diabolica Jones

Drop Bear Theatre

Presents

Daibolica Jones

Written by Anna Held

The cast: Diabolica Jones: Pier Carthew, Sharon: Sarah Lockwood, Carol: Carolyn Ramsey

24 – 26 September 11am and 1.30pm

Kingston Arts Centre – Moorabbin

I was lucky enough to, almost accidentally, catch a preview of this charming show for young people. 

Diabolica Jones, the play, is a spirited and intriguing work, full of imaginative connections and flights of fancy and presented with sparkling fresh energy.

Three actors one male and two females traverse from day to day office life to the induced fantasy world of, the character, Diabolica Jones.  There several nail biting events are energetically enacted.  Explored are tricky, tenuous relationships and the humdrum of day-to-day existence - juxtaposed with an extravagant fantasy world.  In this imagined world amazing, if not a little unsuccessful and bemusing events, that enhance self-esteem, satisfyingly, happen.

I guess the shows message is that it is way better to try something and not be great at it than just to do the same old – same old and be boring and shy.   

The work is beautifully performed and the title role is filled by a fabulously quirky and kind of smallish but lanky actor Peir Carthew. 

I laughed and had a great time at this preview, which was generously presented in the humble Sunday School Hall of the Old Arts Centre in Kyneton.  There I imagined how excellent the work will look and feel when presented in the more lavish and supportive environment of the Kingston Arts Centre.

Well worth catching with a 4 to 10 year old in the next couple of days as light and lively holiday entertainment.

Suzanne Sandow

(For Stage Whispers)