Making corrections
The Age
Monday September 7, 2009
THEATRE THE RITES OF EVIL By Travis Cotton Red Stitch Actors Theatre Until September 26. Martin Ball Reviewer RED Stitch Theatre built its reputation by staging Australian premieres of the latest plays from London and New York. More recently, the company has been nurturing local writers, too, such as the premiere of The Rites of Evil by Sydney writer-actor Travis Cotton.This taut three-hander explores the damaged mental landscape of two men who have just been released from an institution €” psychiatric or correctional is never entirely clear €” and the possibilities and consequences that flow from their attempts to take control of their bleak lives.Cotton's writing is stylish and assured. He creates focused scenes with confident dialogue that rises above the everyday, to develop effective imagery and metaphor. There is a good balance of wit and edginess, ensuring the language catches the audience's ear. Cotton is helped by Alex Menglet's well-timed direction, emphasising the bite in the dialogue and the unspoken tension within the characters. And there is some nice acting, too, as Tim Potter finds a role well suited to his range, and newcomer Johnny Carr makes a good debut showing depth and control in his voice and body.Erin Dewar is somewhat enigmatic as the case worker-cum-parole officer. Her military-style uniform adds to the unsettling and indeterminate context of the characters' situations, underscoring the disparity between outward appearance and inner identity.A worthy addition to Red Stitch's long list of premieres, despite some lapses into cliche.
© 2009 The Age