Waiting for Gateaux
July 3rd 2008 00:28
Waiting for Gateaux
By E. Waugh & T. Wood
Presented by Eynesbury Senior College
The Little Theatre
This Australian premiere of a winsome play about obesity and community struck several chords. Year 12 Drama students mostly wearing body suits in order to pile on a dozen extra kilos display ample talent for performance and under the direction of Anita Baltutis the major messages of the play are completely clear. A community club for ‘plus sized’ men and women is approached by a television company who are looking to make a reality television program about people loosing weight. An affable bunch with their individual stories playing out scene by scene and describing some typical situations including a man who has lost weight but not quite enough to regain self confidence; a woman abandoned by her husband who lives in the guilt of giving her daughter to her mother because she couldn’t raise her. Very much in the same vicinity as The Full Monty and Steaming (these incidentally are links to films of said titles however both have been stage productions); Waiting for Gateaux plays out with a few twists and turns that keep the audience engaged and on side.
Once it is discovered that the release form that was readily signed to allow the cameras to move in and start recording reality was in fact a more sinister attempt at closing down the club and redeveloping the site these community misfits turn the tables, and win the day.
Performances by young people just starting out can sometimes be a little stilted and lacking in texture – not so with these highly credible performers. The ensemble provided excellent work all around, and the college is to be commended for bringing not only a new play to life but offering their students a platform on which to shine.
David Jobling
By E. Waugh & T. Wood
Presented by Eynesbury Senior College
The Little Theatre
This Australian premiere of a winsome play about obesity and community struck several chords. Year 12 Drama students mostly wearing body suits in order to pile on a dozen extra kilos display ample talent for performance and under the direction of Anita Baltutis the major messages of the play are completely clear. A community club for ‘plus sized’ men and women is approached by a television company who are looking to make a reality television program about people loosing weight. An affable bunch with their individual stories playing out scene by scene and describing some typical situations including a man who has lost weight but not quite enough to regain self confidence; a woman abandoned by her husband who lives in the guilt of giving her daughter to her mother because she couldn’t raise her. Very much in the same vicinity as The Full Monty and Steaming (these incidentally are links to films of said titles however both have been stage productions); Waiting for Gateaux plays out with a few twists and turns that keep the audience engaged and on side.
Once it is discovered that the release form that was readily signed to allow the cameras to move in and start recording reality was in fact a more sinister attempt at closing down the club and redeveloping the site these community misfits turn the tables, and win the day.
Performances by young people just starting out can sometimes be a little stilted and lacking in texture – not so with these highly credible performers. The ensemble provided excellent work all around, and the college is to be commended for bringing not only a new play to life but offering their students a platform on which to shine.
David Jobling
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