Power Play by Linh
Playwright David Mamet's powerful and thought-provoking drama Oleanna returns to the Adelaide Fringe Festival after its sell-out season in 2009. Director, writer, actor Guy Masterson's Centre for International Theatre (C.I.T) presents four shows only this year and Adelaide actress Joanne Hartstone co-stars with Masterson in this gripping and critically acclaimed masterpiece concerning gender politics, exploitation and freedom of expression. Carol is a struggling and frustrated university student who seeks assistance from her unconventional Professor and he invites her into his office to discuss her assignment. Her Professor is on the brink of tenure and their sessions are constantly interrupted by phone calls from his wife. Beginning with opposing ideas and differences of opinions, their meeting results in very subtle touching and physical embracing from her Professor.
Oleanna presents both sides of the arguments regarding a young woman's right to feel, think and act freely without being under the patriarchal power of a male, whereas the Professor feels he is being unfairly implicated as a "rapist" and allegedly abused his power and position to sexually exploit her. The issues are somewhat context-driven and each side of the argument is presented through the strong characterisation and solid performances from Joanne Hartstone as Carol and Guy Masterson's portrayal of the Professor. The minimalist setting of the play keeps the focus on the characters' interaction and is brilliantly staged to keep the audience engaged through the use of ambiguity in dialogue and explosive emotionally-charged outbursts from both characters.
Hartstone is superb as the seemingly naive yet strong-willed student Carol with an enquiring mind whose eagerness to learn, lands her in an epic power struggle with her Professor. Interestingly, Carol's clothing reflects her growing confidence and defiance against her Professor, starting off with a singlet top and skirt in the First Act and by the Third Act, she is in pants and cardigan/jacket as though transgressing from a feminine appearance to a masculine countenance. Guy Masterson is equally powerful as the Professor and his character straddles between adhering to the professional conduct as an educator and being a friend to his student.
Oleanna demonstrates how easily words and actions can be misconstrued and misunderstood. Throughout the play, the phrase "I don't understand" is repeated by both characters at various stages, perhaps to reveal a disconnect between them, or as a subconscious rejection of the other's viewpoint and an attempt to impose their own views upon the other as a form of power or influence. This is one of Mamet's most controversial and divisive plays and definitely one of his best.
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WHO: Oleanna by David Mamet
WHAT: Theatre, Drama play
WHERE: Higher Ground (Main Theatre), 9 Light Square, Adelaide
WHEN:
All shows begin at 2:30pm.
6, 12 and 13 March
PRICE: (no concession):
All tickets $23.00
RUNNING TIME: 2 hours including two (15 minutes and 5 minutes) intervals
