Opening on World Theatre day, the Rhodes Drama department’s first production, The Treatment, started off the season with a bang.
Opening on World Theatre day, the Rhodes Drama department’s first production, The Treatment, started off the season with a bang.
It's set in bustling New York City where Anne, played by Kelsey Stewart, has her story appropriated by producers Andrew and Jennifer.
Anne's story, which has the two producers salivating, describes how Anne’s husband ties her up and tapes her mouth closed after she is critical of their neighbourhood.
Through Andrew and Jennifer’s ‘facilitation’ events unfold so that the lines between reality and fiction becomes blurred.
Written by British playwright Martin Crimp, The Treatment is an analysis of the world of film-making and the production of reality. Crimp's dialogue is economical but does not lack emotional punch.
The audience will find themselves straining to distinguish between multiple, simultaneous conversations.
All of the conversations add layer upon layer of reality.
The impact of the dialogue can also be attributed to director Liz Mills.
Mills has worked extensively as a voice practitioner and has had a distinguished career at the University of Cape Town.
The manipulation of voice helps to create the play's unsettling tone.
At one point Anne lies sobbing upon the floor, but Stewart is able to control her voice so that it never becomes an over-dramatic wail. Instead, Anne's sobs become part of the ambience.
Stewart’s performance is powerful.
She exudes a nervous energy that creates tension, uplifting a scene. Other noteworthy performances are Hana Kelly as Jennifer, Cullan Maclear as Clifford, down-and-out playwright, and Sandi Dlangalala as arrogant actor, John.
Enhanced by moody lighting, the play creates a tone that is unsettling and captivating.
It is an ugly world that Crimp presents, where human folly is satirised graphically and grotesquely.
The audience is expected to be uncomfortable about the nature of the play and the nature of reality.
The Treatment plays at the Rhodes Box Theatre at 7.30pm on Friday 28 March and Saturday 29 March.
