Publicité
Top Girls, a top cast
The exclusively female cast of Top Girls, made up of Mauritians and expatriates, is for Jim Bennett, ?the most intelligent cast he ever worked with? since the 15 actresses ?though inexperienced, were very open to criticism and quick to learn.? With the play about to begin at the Tarisa Resort Hotel, the director of The Rain or Shine Theatre Group had difficulty hiding his growing excitement and nervousness.
The first scene, a ?surrealistic dinner?, had some captivating costumes. Lady Nijo (Rima Ramsaran) wore a traditional Chinese costume that did not pass unnoticed, and neither did Pope Joan?s elegant but sober cloak. Dull Gret (Nathalie Avrillon) was appropriately inelegant in her armour! Pope Joan (Lee Koenig) and Marlene (Bisa Williams) were the two dominant characters. Caryl Churchill?s overlapping dialogue (a technique making dialogue seem more natural) was well handled, although slightly disconcerting at times.
Top Girls is a difficult play to stage because a lot of the time the characters are sitting down and conversing, but the cast dealt with this as best they could. The facial expressions were sometimes exaggerated, but since the focus was on the speakers, this overacting was not very noticeable. It was nice to see Kit (Jessica Baker) and Angie (Margot Masson), two younger members of the cast perfectly adopting the childish but sometimes disturbing ways of teenagers.
The most intense scene was without doubt the one where Marlene and her sister, Joyce (Jane Birbeck) have a big row, both actresses being naturally imposing. The cast evidently enjoyed acting out this play. They succeeded in conveying the interesting issues the playwright brings up in Top Girls.
For those who missed last weekend?s performances, there are two ?dinner theatre? evenings at Le Ravin, Moka on 19th and 20th March (by reservation only). Tel: 2556018
Publicité
Publicité
Les plus récents
