The final installment of In The Raw for 2011 saw a return to Sydney Theatre on December 5th for the reading of Rockpool – the collaborative effort of writers, Sonia Whiteman, Pip Karmel, and Josh Whiteman.
The engaging performance led the audience on an emotionally charged and, at times, comedic journey from London to the Australian outback and back again.
The script, directed by Sonia Whiteman, was brought to life on the night by a superb cast led by Leon Ford (The Pacific, Changi) in the main role of Slightly, and precocious talent, Benson Anthony (Legend of the Seeker, Underbelly: Razor) as Henry. The cast also included Danielle Cormack (Underbelly: Razor, Rake), Russell Dykstra (Rake, Romulus My Father), James Mackay (The Straits, Rescue Special Ops), as well as industry evergreens, Heather Mitchell (Spirited, The Great Gatsby) and Anne Looby (The Peach Season, Simone De Beauvoir’s Babies).
The cast members, tasked with covering multiple characters, shifted seamlessly between their various roles and accents highlighted by outstanding comic turns from Dykstra as Serbian chauffeur, Josif, and Cormack in her cameo as bogan café owner, Leah.Looby, taking the reins as narrator, never missed a beat, exuding authority and poise as she took to the word-heavy prospect of stage direction. Consummate ease was the order of the day seemingly, with assured performances across the board from the elegant Mitchell, Ford and In The Raw veteran, Mackay. The crowd was even treated to the unexpected vocal talent of young Benson Anthony in an enchanting rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’.
After the performance, the Q&A session opened the floor to feedback from industry panelists, Gillian Armstrong (Charlotte Gray), Cathy Randall (Hey Hey It’s Esther Blueburger), Daniel Nettheim (The Hunter), and Andrew Traucki (The Reef) as well as impressions and questions from the audience. This gave director Sonia Whiteman and producer Karen Radzyner the valuable opportunity to discuss and workshop their own questions about their project as it continues towards production.Thanks to host, Clare Sawyer, along with the entire cast and panel for making the night such a success.
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