Inspired memoirs
Lynn Freeman
On the Upside-Down of the World, Directed by Colin McColl, Downstage Theatre, To September 10. Reviewed by Lynn Freeman
FORGET the Rugby World Cup – In recent weeks Wellington’s theatres have presented us with three world class award winning productions, Osage: Orange County and When the Rain Stop Falling, at Circa, and now On the Upside-Down if the World at Downstage. The casts of each production have tackled challenging themes and demanding scripts and kicked for touch with each one.
Arthur Meek, reminds us of his versatility with his new play based on the memoirs of Lady Mary Ann Martin, the disabled wife of the young Chief Justice sent out here from England. She went from resenting having to learn the ‘barbarian’ language of the natives to becoming fluent and raising a chief’s son as her own. She showed determination, courage, loyalty and resourcefulness. Later she wrote about her experiences with candidness and wonderful evocative use turn of phrase.
As Lady Mary Ann Martin, Laurel Devenie is nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment she limps on stage, and stares out at the endless ocean she has to cross to join her new husband and start her new life, we are in the palm of her hand. She tells us of her early hazy notions of New Zealand, we get glimpses of her sense of humour, and never for a moment does she show any self pity for her limp or her situation. Devenie makes this role her own. She is enchanting and captivating, her focus for the full 90 minutes never wavers.
Meek’s script is expertly crafted from the memoirs. Colin McColl’s direction is inspired and has Devenie weave though, around and up and down the myriad giant steel ladders that Tony Rabbit uses to create the set. They at various times represent ship rigging, forests, a house, a prison, and a journey upwards towards an understanding and appreciation between this Pakeha British woman and the many Maori she befriends.
John Gibson’s abstract sound design is striking and Kirsty Cameron’s costume allows Devenie to divest herself of the old world corsetry as she builds a new life for herself on the upside-down of the world.
FORGET the Rugby World Cup – In recent weeks Wellington’s theatres have presented us with three world class award winning productions, Osage: Orange County and When the Rain Stop Falling, at Circa, and now On the Upside-Down if the World at Downstage. The casts of each production have tackled challenging themes and demanding scripts and kicked for touch with each one.
Arthur Meek, reminds us of his versatility with his new play based on the memoirs of Lady Mary Ann Martin, the disabled wife of the young Chief Justice sent out here from England. She went from resenting having to learn the ‘barbarian’ language of the natives to becoming fluent and raising a chief’s son as her own. She showed determination, courage, loyalty and resourcefulness. Later she wrote about her experiences with candidness and wonderful evocative use turn of phrase.
As Lady Mary Ann Martin, Laurel Devenie is nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment she limps on stage, and stares out at the endless ocean she has to cross to join her new husband and start her new life, we are in the palm of her hand. She tells us of her early hazy notions of New Zealand, we get glimpses of her sense of humour, and never for a moment does she show any self pity for her limp or her situation. Devenie makes this role her own. She is enchanting and captivating, her focus for the full 90 minutes never wavers.
Meek’s script is expertly crafted from the memoirs. Colin McColl’s direction is inspired and has Devenie weave though, around and up and down the myriad giant steel ladders that Tony Rabbit uses to create the set. They at various times represent ship rigging, forests, a house, a prison, and a journey upwards towards an understanding and appreciation between this Pakeha British woman and the many Maori she befriends.
John Gibson’s abstract sound design is striking and Kirsty Cameron’s costume allows Devenie to divest herself of the old world corsetry as she builds a new life for herself on the upside-down of the world.
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