Fortune Theatre Studio
Read Aloud is the fortnightly play reading event performed in the Fortune Theatre Studio. It gives playwrights and local theatre practitioners a chance to hear plays being read aloud (as the title would suggest). Read Aloud is not a full production of text; it is just a reading, but it still conveys the dynamisms and nuances of the text. Each event costs only five dollars, and is worth it.
Last week’s play was Sketch by Kate Morris. It would have been wonderful to see the play actually produced and shown as a full show, however under the direction of Cindy Diver the reading was exciting and enthralling, even though there was no set, the actors had the script and there was minimal lighting. Sketch was about an artist, a terminally ill woman, an art gallery’s management and an exhibition that was a PR hit. Morris’ use of timing and to build the production to shattering climax was wonderfully executed. The language and tone of the piece was reflective on the real meaning of life, and the relationships we have with people.
Probably my favourite bit was the punters at the dramatic high point of the piece; they punctuated the ending wonderfully, it was almost unreal. The play explored the boundaries of what ‘is’ versus what ‘is not’ art, as well as what is exploitation and what is art. Read Aloud is a Stage South venture, and it exposes Dunedin to New Zealand plays we might otherwise not see performed. I highly recommend the Read Aloud sessions, and although they are not for everyone, you should give it a go – you could love it. At only five bucks a pop it’s a decent Saturday afternoon out. Keep your eyes peeled for the next one on in October!
Read Aloud
