Punked by Ross Daniels. Directed by Emilie Collyer. St Ali – South Melbourne
28 March – 7 April. Season ended.
Punked is mesmerising.
Ross Daniels charms his audience from the moment we hear his voice-over to commence his highly relatable to show. Seamless character driven storytelling Punked is a great rocky ride through a profound and significant rite of passage in adolescence. It captures the almost arbitrary nature of teenage experience and the foolhardy commitment to the outcomes of risky, and indiscriminate, choices in the crystallisation of Daniels' memories.
Through deft direction by Emilie Collyer and comprehensive characterisation, multiple points of view are expressed. Many sensitively drawn nuances are conveyed through the beautiful realisation of characters – most particularly the characters of Daniels’ long-suffering yet supportive grandparents. The complex milieu and very different political climate of the era infiltrates the whole and is also highlighted in the representation of a dodgy 1970s police officer.
Technically this work is very tightly wrought together with ‘spot on’ support from sound and light.
Punked has all the ingredients to be on the VCE Drama performance list as it is a very smooth and successful example of Solo Performance and would so easily tour schools.
It is a show for anyone who remembers growing up, or/and growing up in the 1970s, or still feels the pull of the crazed obsessive or is just crazed and obsessive.
Suzanne Sandow
St Ali a new venue billed as part of the South Melbourne Collection is at 12–18 Yarra Place in South Melbourne. It is a little hard to find and basically behind Coles off Clarendon Street. The food smells great and the menu looks enticing. There are a number of shows to catch there up until 21 April. www.thatgirlentertainment.com/stalicomedy
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