‘Unfamiliar Steps’

Press, 6 July 1983, Page 4

‘Unfamiliar Steps’

“Unfamiliar Steps,” by Robert Lord, directed by Aarne Neeme for the Court Studio Theatre. July 5 to July 30. Running time: 8.15 pan. to 10.30 p.m. Reviewed by Gerrit Bahlman. Rural New Zealand circa mid-1960s take a bow. Robert Lord’s latest play captures the banal comedy of small rural lifestyles and presents characters that are so familiar they become disturbingly funny. The dialogue is ordinary yet under the focus of the theatre it becomes an indictment against insularity. Comedy is foremost and the climax might be predictable, but its credibility is the play’s strength. Aarne Neeme directed the play under the auspices of the Tasman Theatre Foundation, set up to allow the exchange of theatre personnel between Australia and New Zealand. His production- of this essentially

indigenous play testifies to a thorough understanding of small town mind. Bert, played by John Curry, is a retired bowler who has this strange, socially unacceptable habit of visiting the railway station after bowls. His wife, Maisie — everyone has an aunt like Maisie — has spoken to Bert about this bad habit — people will talk, you know — but Bert will persist. Maisie’s niece, Shona, and her husband, Grantie — call him Grunt, he is going for the district manager’s job — are also concerned about Bert’s habit. It might affect Grantie’s prospects. What none of them know is that Bert has really done it this time — he has brought one of them home. You know! A young man from the station. Offered him a bed and the job painting the roof. New Zild vowels are well the fore. Suspicion of

strangers, the volatile sensitivities of the insensitive, crass chauvinism, emotional blackmail, and the funda-* mental undercurrent of loneliness blend to make this production more than another glib Kiwi farce. The younger stranger, Tom, is played by William Kircher with a restrained mixture of “with it” objectivism and empathy. John Curry’s Bert was a heartwarming performance, sincere, comical, and slightly pathetic. Mr Curry’s portrayal was the central strength of this production. Yvonne Martin as Maisie, complemented Bert brilliantly. • Alison tjuigan as Shona affected the comedy in her role so well that the audience sat in anticipation waiting for the next lash of her extended tongue. Mark Trezona as Grant was never ambiguous in his role.