The Bald Soprano at King St Theatre

Most unusual http://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/the-bald-soprano-at-king-street-theatre-newtown/THE BALD SOPRANO (aka The Bald Prima Donna) was Ionesco’s first play. Written in the 1950’s a production in France has been running since 1956. Ionesco , regarded as one of the major figures of the French Theatre of the Absurd ,was inspired by his English language primer when he was trying to learn English . An ‘anti –play’, it shows the absurdities of human interactions, breaking and ignoring the conventions of a traditional play . With no linear narrative it concentrates on themes rather than plot and it is as if the characters are behind a glass window at a zoo portraying a social dinner party with people you don’t like and attempting to make entertainment out of that. Awkward moments become relevant as part of the play’s meaning, full of Dada like ridiculousness. Here at King St (where by the way this marks the 201st production) this strange, quirky and exciting play was given an excellent performance by its small cast. It has been updated a little as all four of the Smiths and Martins have mobiles. Under Walsh’s direction the play is on one level all about time. The set is a neutral coloured sitting room , with many , many clocks , of various shapes and sizes , all over the walls, on the table, underfoot near the chairs and sofa..there is even a Dali-esque Surrealist like clock melting over one corner of the table. The play is about everything and nothing , the mundane uselessness of life, the human condition , the use of language and repetition. It is about nonsense, things that make sense and clichéd overwhelmingly true yet twisted phrases .Like Beckett’s Godot the Bald Soprano is crucial to the plot but never actually appears. There is fine ensemble work from all the cast. Blonde Mrs Smith (Ellie May) is tall, refined and elegant in a beautiful black and white outfit. Mr Smith (Timothy Hope) is more comfortable with his trousers rolled up,his slippers and his pipe. Mrs Smith has a big monologue about the food the just ate and there is a repetitive confusing dialogue about Bobby Watson. When the Martins arrive Mrs Martin is dressed similarly to Mrs Smith. The Martins have a long stilted convoluted and very polite conversation (with impeccable timing ) , with lots of repetition of “how bizarre , what a coincidence ‘ and Mrs Martin constantly saying ‘but I am afraid I don’t recall..’ leading up to a recognition scene and reconciliation. The perky maid (Luciana Nguyen)breaks through the ‘fourth wall’- or does she ? – to explain that nothing is what it seems , and skitters away at one point after declaring ‘ My name is Sherlock Holmes ‘. The young bearded Fire chief in uniform with yellow hard hat (Matthew Neto) appears charming but admits to arson in order to create work for himself. There is an odd sequence, again using repetition , where the doorbell rings several times ( with different sounds) but no one is there. Or are they? And a strange dinner party like section where they all tell fables and are interrupted by the maid who wants to recite a poem. .. Running time 70 mins (approx.) no interval. THE BALD SOPRANO runs at the King ST Theatre 15-26 March 2016