OBSERVER: Crimes of the Heart
Heidelberg Theatre Company’s latest show, Crimes of the Heart, welcomes audiences with an impressive open-stage set depicting the kitchen in the Magrath sisters’ house in Hazlehurst, Mississippi.
Designed by Morgan Thomas-Connor,
the set extends the full width of the large stage, with admirable attention to detail authentically capturing the play’s 1974 era.
Written by Beth Henley and directed by James Antonas, the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama-comedy tells of the three Magrath sisters reuniting in their family home. Youngest sister Babe is on bail after shooting her domineering husband, and the girls’ grandfather is dying in hospital.
Llaaneath Poor commands the stage as the girl’s agitating cousin and neighbour Chick Boyle. Her skill in putting on a pair of pantihose during dialogue tops off a polished performance.
Maddison Hill is delightful as Lenny Magrath, the lonely, gentle sister with fertility issues who cares for their grandfather.
Hillary Aramze presents a lively and spirited Meg Magrath, with a lovely vocal rendition of Home on the Range. Meg had left a broken-hearted Doc Porter to pursue a singing career in Hollywood.
Kimberley Taylor lights up the stage as young, emotionally fragile Babe Botrelle. Babe’s shooting of her husband over his reaction to her affair with a young lover is disturbing, as are her suicide attempts.
There’s heart, soul and humour in the sisters’ naturalistic chatter. This brings a feel-good vibe to the show and offers a positive balance to the girls’ stories about the darker side of their lives.
Robert Bravery is well-cast as Doc Porter who has now started a new life with a family.
Personable Oliver Delaney is Babe’s purposeful, supportive lawyer, Barnette Lloyd, who fortuitously has a personal vendetta against Babe’s injured lawyer husband.
James Antonas’s direction ensures audiences remain engaged during this gently-paced, dialogue-rich show.
Lighting design is by Michael Rowe, sound design by John Rowe and costumes are designed by Catherine Christensen and Jenny Gilbert.
Congratulations to Heidelberg Theatre on another quality production.
Performance Season: Until September 19
Venue: Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna
Bookings: htc.org.au
Review by Cheryl Threadgold
Pictured: The Magrath sisters – Maddison Hill (Lenny) at left, Kimberley Taylor (Babe) and Hillary Aramze (Meg) in Crimes of the Heart.
Photo: David Belton