Theatre: The Age of Consent
As much as theatre is pure entertainment, I absolutely love when a show throws on stage characters, words and ideas that may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Theatre that is about risk, theatre that doesn’t take the safe option, theatre that inspires debate, praise and censure.
Our mainstage companies usually shy away from exploring such works, so it is a blessing that deep down at the Old Fitz, Peter Morris’ play The Age of Consent is getting a second Australian run after premiering at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Directed by Shannon Murphy, who recently met with media interest over her production of My Name is Rachel Corrie, The Age of Consent has people all over Australia on internet forums fired up. Ironically, but expected, these people have not even seen or read the play.
Hot off the heels of the Bill Henson saga, we have a play that unashamedly travels the precarious line between innocent youth and adulthood. Based on the horrific murder of UK toddler Jamie Bulger committed by children, and the beauty-queen upbringing of Jon Benet Ramsey, this two-hander is a deftly handled device of intense and fascinating character study.
People love meaning, reasons and explanations to make everything pat and comforting, but this play (and the world) aren’t that reductive. It’s nice that ethical complexity, strong writing and well-directed and acted productions are still welcome, at least in some broad quarters. Catch the play before it closes this month!
Source: Aussietheatre.com
The Age of Consent
The Old Fitzroy Hotel, Cathedral St (Cnr Dowling St), Woolloomooloo.
On until 23rd August 2008
Ph: 1300 438 849
Bookings: www.rocksurfers.org
SMH
The age
Aussietheatre.com
Arts Journalist blogspot
Daily Telegraph
Tags: Film, peter morris, play, Rachel Corrie, Shannon Murphy, the age of consent, The Old Fitzroy Hotel, theatre, Two Flat Whites, woolloomooloo
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