Review: RATS Has Heart and a Few Twists in its Tail at Old 505 Theatre

It was at the time nothing more than a media gaffe when a radio broadcaster called a garrison of Australian soldiers stationed in Libya "rats in a trap". In true Aussie spirit, the slight was transformed into a mark of pride and "The Rats of Tobruk", known for their scavenging and tunnelling became legends of contemporary war story. It proved fertile ground for Writer/Director Chris Huntly-Turner, presenting Rats, a double feature at Old 505 Theatre in Newtown investigating the men on the battleground, and the women defending their homeland, Dirt and Moonshine respectively.

The productions shared some key elements. First, the live musician figure David Woodland who interceded with ambient and musical elements, providing much texture to each production; the use of electric guitar rattle to emote gunfire a strum of genius. The beach set constructed by Penny Lemon, CM Booker and Shannan Ely transitioned well between Aussie sands and foreign soil, also permitting different levels and nooks to densify the action. The use of contemporary movement throughout the productions added dimension to the emotional landscape being played with, but ultimately and unnecessarily mottled space better used for exposition or direct poignancy. Huntly-Turner's decision to split the shows is valid as thematically and in terms of engagement they differ, but keeping these elements to make that split more a perforation, leave some threads between them enriched them both.

Dirt is war tale many would be familiar with until some intense twists at the very last. Following the men as time passes in the middle of Africa, tensions run high between their past, present and future. In this, the play holds most promise, the tug-o-war between John, a compelling Owen Little, and the wife he left behind Peggy, a deep performance by Sylvia Keays. Little and Keays' chemistry builds solid foundation for John's experiences and brought a tear to several audience members when they are finally reunited. Matthew Clarke as the stereotypical braggart-larrikin-antagonist is flawless in his attendance to the tropes, but leaves plenty of charm to make the character eye-catching in every scene. Peter Jaimison's portrayal of Bart is refreshingly endearing, though the vagueness in the character didn't align strongly with his wife in Moonshine. Thomas was the only soldier to crossover into Moonshine, and his consistency was proved along with his multi-faceted portrayal of the alpha-apparent. LynDon Jones delivered a stellar man-in-charge as Peacock, and Blake Wood's James for all he had little stage time, was believable in his revealing of the fear and desperation of the time.

Moonshine takes audiences to the hometown of the rats, Cowra, and examines the lives of the women left behind. Ruby, played to superb dramatic and comedic effect by the nuanced Carla Nirella, has stepped up to the plate, working hard locally for the war effort. Her sister Sue, played by an enthusiastic Abigail Honey, is comparatively lackadaisical and aggressive missing her husband. Their friend the ever-optimistic Peggy, Sylvia Keays making a smart and more engaging departure from her character's interpretation in Dirt, is the best cook in town. Sue and Peggy end up being forced by Peggy to take Maria, an Italian immigrant and ethnic representative of the enemy, under their wing, which they do in earnest upon activating Sue's idea to make illegal alcohol to liven up the town and their own lives. Shelley Casey as Maria did very well with speaking Italian and broken English that didn't come across as trite. Although this story kept with the twists, the narrative did not seem as well cooked as Dirt, and the promise of a strong female-centric story set out in the beginning quickly descended into a retribution and over-dramatisation by the end that ruptured the integrity of the themes of strength and solidarity.

Fledgling Theatre Company are emerging as innovative storytellers in the Sydney scene for their intelligent interpretations, creative visuals and crafting of talented performers. Rats is absolutely a feather in their cap of genuine Australiana and willingness to stretch known narratives.

Tickets available here.
Images by Geoff Sirmai and Liam O'Keefe.

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