‘Scoring at Court

Press, 2 June 1982, Page 6

‘Scoring at Court

Scoring, by Ken Hudson, directed by Elric Hooper for the , ; Court Studio Theatre. Jjme ; l to June; 19. Running tine: 8.15. p.m? to 10 pan. Reviewed by Gerrit Bahlman., : Morris in his btak;’“The Naked Ape,” describes the biological function of.sex, , in the first instance, 0-that of pair-bonding. The initial sexual interaction of a cbuple acts as a breaktnrough path which enables ttfe/;'slow of a qreper relationship in which sex takes a subordinate role. KehiHudson’s latest play is a sudy of this aspect of human and provides a conYxncing where the mature. stage of the relationship. is thwarted,. ’ -v p’The/■,■/-,. one-night .’ stand Scenario/ that Hudson, paints Vaises” interesting ./questions as . tb the impact’ of >a preemptive sexuab intimacy versus the-conservative shy approach to sex in the ore-

Pill era. Are the two persons unsuited or do. they miss 'each other because , of their, sexual liberality?' - , The play is rich in collo? quial imagery. The...young man presents a historical perspective on a relationship which disturbed him. His one-night stand seemed to demand more from him than simple sex. The play captures authentic fears and emotions. The . male’s sense of entrapment and the woman’s , need for - emotional fulfilment clash * poignantly. Geoff is portrayed by Peter Elliott with sensitivity and confidence. His delivery and timing were totally convincing — a fine performance,’which marks a . considerable /development of < his potential as a performer. Melissa Miles played Sue with initial nervousness but with evolving, warmth , and positiveness, jjer vocal; presentation seemed.a'-little too. well'" snoken ? at first ’ and

seemed to imply a calculating facet to Sue’s character. As the play progressed this impression slipped away and the warmth of the character emerged. . This production employed some useful devices to achieve the retrospective monologue effect required by the script. Captions were used in association with lighting,to mark the. transition points and bad the additional impact of presenting the monologues in an ironical light. The set; as might be expected, consisted of a double bed . and a dressing table in the bedroom- of f: a . shared flat. - s -. “Scoring” was specially commissioned by the Court Theatre arid -marks yet another valuable contribution to indigenous New Zealand theatre. Ken Hudson must .be congratulated on this humor- : oiis, sensitive'study of . the ; sexual' habits//6f. the hiked ■ Kiwi ‘ ' - . •