Yes indeed, readers. If not for the acting chops of Dominic Kellar, Gehan Blok and Pasan Ranaweera in their three stooges-esque performance at Star of Wonder last week, the Punchi Theatre would have seen an exodus of far more biblical proportions than the biblical journey of the Magi depicted in the play.
The script-writer is one lucky guy, I tell you. How and where else would a script which we would normally expect to see from an adoloscent- and a young one at that- give us a fairly entertaining night? See paragraph above.
The three leads- Balthazaar, Melchoir and Gaspar (as mentioned in biblical tradition) were ideally placed. While the rest of the cast bravely- I repeat, bravely- plodded on with amateurish, wooden and unconvincing performances, the three kings were in a class of their own. Not that this was their best performance. Dominic Kellar's role in the Astounding Krispinsky(?), Gehan Blok's role as Reverend Tim and Pasan Ranaweera's role as the bumbling nitarmasuffering(?) would have undoubtedly posed more challenge. The difference with star of wonder though, was that the actors had what was- with the exception of a few instances of almost clever wit-a rather pathetic, and lazily written script. Considering the end result where a poker face like moi erupted in giggles at the well timed expressions, reactions and antics of the three, I'd say that was an absolutely superb job.
Unfortunately, some clever soul decided that maybe- just maybe- it would be a good idea to turn the whole thing into some sort of musical without a musical score. Such brilliance.
I was being sarcastic.
No offence to the 'aww' inspiring little sopranos who no doubt did their best. But why for the love of God did whoever it was feel it necessary to bring in a rather genre confused musical trio between acts? Sadly, the singer had a good voice, but it was wasted.
And there we have it. Not too much to analyze. Safe to say that if Balthazaar, Melchoir and Gaspar did in fact encounter Mary Magdalene and Barabbas on their way to Jerusalem, Christ would have in thirty something years time, have encountered a Mary Magdalene who had parkinsons disease and Barabbas would have had arthritis. Oh, and the biblical world would have been trigger-happy. And battling VAT and Customs duties. Puh-lease.
unfortunately i couldn't go see the play... but this sums it up. :)well done gehan, dominic, pasan.
ReplyDeletewhat comments on the support cast?
ReplyDeleteWannabestar,
ReplyDeleteWell, I stand by what I said, that Dominic, Gehan and Pasan carried the show. The support cast needed work. Possibly, they were amateurs. It is also possible that they were either misdirected or insufficiently directed which, obviously, is not their fault. Some characters showed promise- like the guy who played Barabbas; and the guy who played the narrator (even though the role of the narrator was completely redundant).
Overall though, the support cast could have been better directed.
Hey Sista, I think that the audience this play was catering to were mainly fans of slap stick humor and more on the lines of Monty Python genre. I think it was off da hook and would definitely watch it again!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd the bands were great to be honest - thought they'd be stupid but it actually made it all feel more christmassy. I think that would make sense as it needed that Christmas feel. Overall I think they weren't going for a general theatre audience at all given the laughs they got out of it...
I belive you have not watched GEHAN's best roles if you believe that Noir defied his acting talents or his career! He had a career in actng before Noir.....
ReplyDeleteThe review is fine but a bit self aggrandizing!
Anonymous, what career before Noir are you referring to? Was it a teledrama called 'Ridee Tharaka'or some stuff he did with 'Silent Hands?'Do tell, please.
ReplyDeleteGehan Blok certainly had a career in acting before Noir; and not just with Silent Hands. Anonymous (aka Jehan Bastians, I think), I suggest you read what the 'Biatch' has written. Take your time if necessary. He/She has not said that the role of Reverend Tim was Gehan's best role. The sentence is a mere comparing of the two roles, and the simple opinion that the latter- of Melchoir- was less demanding. So there's no need to get your panties in a twist and let your typing suffer to boot.
ReplyDeleteYo anonymous. Did Mr. Blok ditch you for someone else?
ReplyDeleteHey Opera Ghost, Yo Mama: You have to feel for Mr. Bastians. After all, parting is such sweet sorrow.
ReplyDeleteWho is Jehan Bastians?
ReplyDeleteHappy 2012, readers :D
ReplyDeleteRight well, thanks for ze comments, though um, lets not get too personal here. Let anonymity be respected, hint hint.
'Sista' anonymous- I would definitely watch it again too, but only because of the acting of the main characters.
'Hindi' Anonymous. A paradox within a paradox. Smooth :)
'Self-aggrandizing' anonymous, it gives me inexpressible joy to hear that you think my review is fine. Might I ask though, are you well acquainted with the concept of aggrandizement? FYI, it is not related to the airing of ones opinions, which is all I have done here. Of course if aggrandizement involved expressing an opinion (which it does not) wouldn't you be painting yourself with the same brush?
To clarify, as the Opera Ghost rightly said, my statement about Mr. Gehan Blok's acting contained a comparison between the few roles I have seen him act in since I arrived here- Maxine in Leading Ladies, Reverend Tim, the News anchor in Pusswedila and Malchoir. Of the lot, Reverend Tim appeared to be the most challenging role. That is all. As to why Mr/Ms.'Self Aggrandizing' Anonymous chose to be so defensive here, is anyone's guess.
Oh wait. There has been some speculation on that point already, hasn't there? I forgot, in a moment of self aggrandizement.