Playing at the historic Old Fitz Theatre is award-winning playwright Emily Sheehan’s Frame Narrative. The story stems from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein looking at what it means to create something new. In the case of Frame Narrative, layered conceptions of the story.
Sheehan creatively weaves fresh narrative into the story, spanning genre and time from Gothic literature through to 90s trash horror. Collaborating with Director and Artistic Director of the Fitz Lucy Clements, the pair artfully employ the film technique mise-en-abyme, inserting a story within a story, within a story.
Each act explores the creation and ownership of art. Evoking and addressing questions around authorship. Can you ever truly separate a work of fiction from its author? Once a writer finishes their piece do they have a right how an artist chooses to interpret it and make it their own?
Angelica (played with dramatic intensity by Megan O’Connell whose screen credits include the currently streaming Fall Guy with Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt) is the faded nighties scream queen returning to the industry after an extended period of maternity leave. The film is her big chance to return to glory but Gen Z it girl Elsa, (Madeline Li shines in this role) is coming for her crown. Or is she? Frame Narrative intellectually challenges the audience to reconsider how they view narrative, intersecting between comedy and Gothic thriller, playing into hyper-naturalism and metatheatre.
Frame Narrative presents a behind the scenes look into the dark side of the entertainment industry. In one pivotal scene Angelica is told “you’re an amazing actor when you’re fucked up”. Despite being sober she is encouraged to drink and push into the darkness to get the result. “I’ll pay whatever it takes to get you back out of it”, says Director Margot (played with conviction by Jennifer Rani). Frame Narrative may be fictional but it also divulges the pound of flesh actors are called on to give for their craft.
All of the cast members give stellar performances but extra applause goes to Emma Wright (who is also the Producer for Frame Narrative) as the teary passionate playwright, desperate to destroy what she has written.
Sam Cheng (Sound Designer) and Spencer Heard (Lighting) create a moody spooky feel, using lighting and sound to induce fear in the audience. In a world filled with graphic violence it’s wonderful to enjoy the adrenaline rush of old school scary movies without the depicted horror.
Soham Apte’s set design in Act 1 of a grandiose European wood-paneled interior effectively plays into the Gothic genre of the story but it’s in the set-build that she has really excelled. The stage moves and evolves as the story world changes and, at one point disassembles and collapses mid-performance.
Presented by New Ghosts Theatre Company and Old Fitz Theatre, the show marks the teams first production at the Old Fitz since taking over managing the iconic venue at the beginning of the year. Wright, the newly appointed Executive Producer for The Old Fitz Theatre says, “the show is a love letter to artists and arts lovers. Anyone who has been touched by the arts - whether that be theatre, film, television or literature will enjoy the work."
The Old Fitz Theatre is Australia’s last pub theatre and one of Australia’s smallest theatres with just 55 seats has an intimate cozy atmosphere. A number of Australia’s great artists have performed or had their work shown Old at the Fitz including Tim Minchin, Kate Mulvany and Sarah Snook.
Frame Narrative is perfect for art loving audiences who will enjoy unexpected story twists and a clever deconstruction of narrative. Five stars.
Playing now at the Old Fitz Theatre till the 30 March.
For tickets visit 》 oldfitztheatre.com.au/frame-narrative/
