I don’t understand!

Am I stupid?

‘I’m finding it difficult to comprehend’ how a seemingly simple unplanned meeting between Carol (Joanne Hartstone) and her professor (Guy Masterson), which started in a similar way with Carol asking these same questions. Ends up in such an explosive and destructive way!

Initially Carol’s frustrations seem simple enough and that John, her professor would be able to demonstrate ways in which she would be able to attain a greater understanding aiding and developing her learning. The audience’s frustration with him however increases as he insists on answering his mobile phone at seemingly crucial points in the meeting. It appears that his full attention is not with his student, which seems to build her frustration turning it to anger. Each salient point, which is almost reached, is rarely finalised.

Whether it is Carol’s personal anger, the pressures of her peer group, John allowing his home life to be a distraction from his job, today’s obsession with political correctness or a combination of all the above that finally cause her to set in motion events which lead to an avalanche of destruction affecting both their academic and personal lives.

Whether your ultimate sympathy leaves you backing Carol or the professor I defy you to depart from the theatre without having very strong feelings one way or another. I felt I had almost been put through an old fashioned mangle and couldn’t believe the emotions I had gone through.

David Mamet wrote ‘Oleanna’ in the 80’s and although our outlook on certain behaviours have changed drastically many of his observations are still relevant today. The power struggle between the male professor and his female student is so typically poignant and very cleverly directed there are times when you change allegiances from the aggressor to the dominated but as these roles fluctuate and change all the time.

As anyone who regularly looks at one4review will know my admiration for Mr Guy Mastersson almost knows no bounds.  You are always assured of excellent quality when you go to see anything he puts his name to. Whether acting, directing or producing he expects everyone he works with to be over 100% whole-heartedly involved. Whilst he, himself always seems to be striving for perfection. I love watching shows he directs but to be honest probably enjoy watching him perform even more. Guy’s stage presence has that illusive ‘it’ which most actors would kill for. As John ‘the professor’ Guy’s inattention to Carol was frustrating, his disbelief at the developing situation and final fury totally believable.

Joanne Hartstone as Carol the student, graduated from Flinders University Australia in 2005. Joanne has both performed in the theatre and in musicals as well as directing since her graduation. My first meeting with Joanne was during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2008 as part of Guy’s publicity team. Oleanna is Joanne’s UK premiere performance and if my instincts are correct we will be seeing more of this talented young lady in the future. The cornucopia of emotions she is put through on stage would be testing for actors with many years experience. Her initial confusion developing in to confidence, this newfound self-assured cockiness changing to anger which then builds up to fury only to be suddenly knocked into fear. Definitely not the easiest of shows to start her British career with, yet she seemed to cope admirably.

Geoff having seen Oleanna in the past was interested to see how I reacted from the female point of view. Sarah a young lady soon to go to The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama to do their Stage Management course, also a great Guy Masterson fan, joined in our pre and post production discussion. Both Sarah and I actually felt the same way Geoff did about the outcome of the show.

Oleanna and several other Guy Masterson and T.T.I Touring shows still have several dates late 08 early 09 for further information go to www.theatretoursinternational.com.