ReviewsThree to a Room's An Air Balloon Across Antarctica 2008
Adelaide Season
1. Arna Eyers-White for dB Magazine (27th February)
2. Rip It Up Magazine (22nd February)
2. Nikki Gaertner for Adelaide Theatre Guide (21st February)
3. Samela Harris for the Advertiser (20th February)Melbourne Season
1. Marie Maher for Arts Hub (18th February)
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Arna Eyers-White for dB Magazine (27th February, 2008)
When I tell you that this play is narrated by a hamster (who wishes to be a lemming) you're going to think this is a wacky, zany Fringe show that may be amusing but is hardly proper theatre. Wrong. Darragh Martin's play explores what it is that sustains us, and what finally breaks us.
The hamster as device works brilliantly, and it tempers the shocking hurt that grips the characters, that tears out their hearts. Introducing famous explorers (Shackleton, Earhart and Scott) as sub narrators does not work so well, and towards the end they are an interruption to the otherwise clever unfolding of the scenes, as we discover by 'flashback' just why this woman and the obese hamster are travelling across Antarctica in a hot air balloon.
Sophie Lampel as Ham (the hamster/lemming) has a wonderfully expressive face, and is immediately captivating. Paul David-Goddard as James has a loose casual approach, but shows his mettle when he ensures that there isn't a dry eye in the house, including his own. Claire Glenn is both passionate and cool as Caitlin, the explorer who had settled down, but is now looking for a "blank space".
"An Air Balloon..." isn't easy theatre, and thank goodness for that. There needs to be more adventurous work of this calibre to carve our way through the mire of comedy. See this. Festivals aren't just about the laughter.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rip It Up Magazine (22nd February, 2008)
A woman explorer’s solo journey across Antarctica in a balloon, accompanied by an obese hamster, who wants to be a lemming, and carrying her young son’s ashes, is the central theme of playwright, Darragh Martin’s, imaginative take on loss, grief and relationships, directed by Yvonne Versik. This is very much an ensemble piece, and what a great ensemble the company, Three To A Room, has assembled. These young actors present a carefully wrought production coupled with a high level of enthusiasm. The set and costumes match the high quality of the acting in this polished and exciting new work.
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Nikki Gaertner for Adelaide Theatre Guide (21st February, 2008)
Artistic, polished and touching, this production is sure to please.
It tells the story of Caitlin, an outgoing female explorer on both an adventurous and personal journey as she recounts her past and struggles to come to terms with her present grief. She is accompanied by an overweight wannabe lemming named Ham, illusions of explorers who have come before her, and images of her life that have led her to this point.
This show is presented beautifully, from the depictions and imagery of surrounding snow to the gentle sound and lighting effects and the smooth performances from the cast.
As Caitlin, Claire Glenn drifts between stillness and violent emotion, depicting the mindset of someone trying to escape their troubles but stricken with anguish. Paul David-Goddard is suitably calm-mannered in contrast, delivering a very natural and likeable performance as Caitlin’s partner, James.
As Ham (the hamster), Sophie Lampel provides some lighter moments and opportunities for laughter, and the four explorers, Amelia Earhart, Sir Robert Scott, Madame Blanchard and Sir Ernest Shackleton, are adeptly portrayed by Charlotte Strantzen, Mark Wilson, Nicolette Minster and Kristian Sartori respectively.
This show certainly deserves a large audience, so book quickly and be rewarded with a moving and enjoyable performance in return.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Samela Harris for the Advertiser (20th February, 2008)
A large-scale production from Victoria brings a solid cast and a very original piece of serious theatre with just an edge of lightness.
Written by Darragh Martin, it depicts a history of explorer aviators in ghostly presence around our heroine, her hamster and an urn as they head for the skies of Antarctica.
The balloon is exquisitely designed. Indeed costumes are excellent and the icy effects of sheeny white gauze. As are performances from Claire Glenn, Sophie Lampel and, particularly, Paul David-Goddard.
Full marks for originality in a show which explores not only the perils of the unknown lands but of the human heart. It finds its target. Even the toughest old critic ends up a bit misty-eyed.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marie Maher for Arts Hub (18th February, 2008)
The quote on the press release reads, "You’d have to be a very jaded fringe goer not to be touched by this fresh, talented production…”- Broadway Baby.
Well then, I must be a very jaded theatregoer because An Air Balloon Across Antarctica did leave me a little cold.
The play is essentially about a couple dealing with the accidental death of a child and uses Antarctica as a metaphor for the state of the grieving heart. It is a geographical and emotional exploration of the different responses to overwhelming grief.
This is a solid and spirited presentation of this script and the cast do everything in their power to bring this story alive. I do think that this has proven to be difficult material for a young cast to perform in terms of emotional access to the subject matter in some cases.
Having said that, especially strong in this production is Paul David-Goddard whose rendition of the older James is fully embodied. His voice, presence and connection with the material are wonderful. I couldn’t take my eyes off him and I can’t wait to see him onstage again. Sophie Lampel who played the part of Ham, the hamster who acts as comic relief and narrator to the story, gives an energetic and compelling performance. Less compelling is Claire Glenn who plays the protagonist, Caitlin. Her performance was in general, a little shrill and I found myself wanting to see more emotional texture in her manifestation of grief and anger.
My main reservation about the direction of the piece, and this could be a convention stated in the script, was the use of doubling the actors in the roles of ‘young James and Caitlin’ and ‘older James and Caitlin’. I found this convention at first confusing and then a technique that distanced me from the arc of the couple’s story. I would have preferred to see two actors transform in age and time rather than the awkward convention used in this production.
The set was effective and the incidental music was lovely and well utilized by the director.I want to commend Three to a Room for showing such energy and passion for theatre. I’m looking forward to seeing the next show by this enthusiastic, young company.
© 2007 Three to a Room