Tina (---.prem.tmns.net.au)

I saw a show at the Blue Room tonight that I recommend highly– The Gold Bug. I’ll do the usual blah blah about how I don’t know anybody in the show (It’s true – I don’t). The script is one of Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories so of course the language is rich and enjoyable, and well delivered by the actors. The play contains good physical theatre, excellent timing and skillful acting. Nevertheless, it was the adaptation by the group Strange Arrangements under the direction of Janet Lee and Nigel Luck that gave me the most pleasure.

The irreverence with which they treated Poe’s script, breaking it up beautifully, had me laughing for most of the play. To my surprise, Janet Lee assured me afterwards that they had used Poe’s dialogue as written, with the exception of Jupiter’s dialogue where the idiom was altered to make it more up-to-date. Then despite this very comical interpretation, they were still able to bring a sense of menace into the ending, even when this was not in Poe's original story!

But back to the beginning, where we were presented with the interesting set. I won’t tell you more – go and see it yourself. I bet there were a few sore muscles after getting that lot up the stairs of the Blue Room! In addition, the three actors, Andrew Hale, Kingsley Judd and Nigel Luck made very good use of it. However it was the imaginative visuals which particularly engaged me. They used different levels in the tableaus, up and down the walls, the set and each other. Very nice. Look out for the rope scene. Beautiful. The length of this section milked it for maximum effect but I went with it. These men obviously enjoy working together.

The lighting was good. The music also contributed to the atmosphere of the play. I'm not usually a big fan of having a sound track for a play. I suspect it's sometimes used (as in films) as a tool to carry the audience on the emotional journey. Then it either became less intrusive or I adjusted, because I enjoyed it.

I intend to return with two of my daughters to show them just how entertaining theatre can be. For other parents wondering about content, it contains no swearing, nudity or offensive scenes (yeah, yeah, I’m an over-protective Mum!). It runs at the Blue Room theatre until this Saturday 22nd June.

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