THEATRE: OPPOSITES ATTRACT
Review By Duncan McLeod
Where: The Exchange Hotel, Balmain
When: 05-09/06/2011
Who: Hot Room Theatre Group
Review: OPPOSITES ATTRACT is a refreshing evening out. At a rolling 90 minutes including intermission, the script is full of laughs and awkward moments. Experiencing theatre in this atmosphere with use of the room, not just of the set stage, is certainly immersive. Credit should be paid to the various directors who “worked the room” to keep the audience interested.
As mentioned, for the most part, the script was solid and held this reviewer’s focus. There were moments of lull in the piece but these were quickly swept up in another laugh.
The ensemble as a whole was not as strong as it could have been. There were stand out performers in Emily Elise, Pablo Woodward and Alex Nicholas however. The dance as sex metaphor between Diego Retamales and Kate Barns should be commended as it was difficult to keep step and converse so sparingly.
Scenes that stood out for this reviewer include ‘COFFEE a Reletivity’, ‘Plus Tips’ and a conversation over a martini. The scene that occurred on a Tuesday was especially tender.
One scene about the dissection of theatre entitled ‘Intertwining Monologue’ written and directed by Steven Hopley was almost spot on to the theatre formula this reviewer has experienced in the past. The moment that incorporated me into the performance as the critic in the audience was well handled. Up to that point they had known had/known there was a critic present so would just gesture to the back of the room. It was nice this reviewer was able to assist!
Some pieces in the first act were a little slow to get going and perhaps the opening number was misplaced as the opening performance. There were far more high points than not here. As mentioned the performance was certainly immersive theatre.
Even if you’re not amongst friends this show makes you feel as though you are which makes it the perfect fit for the pub environment. Cheers.
