It is not very often that I walk out of a theatre show with a surge of thoughts going through my mind as I process what I had seen. Carl Young’s performance in Brendan Cowell’s RUBEN GUTHRIE at the Civic Playhouse was an exception to this, leaving me in awe from the down to earth, genuine and heart wrenching performance.
Ruben Guthrie is a successful creative director of a cutting-edge advertising agency, he’s a typical Aussie bloke who likes a drink, until the day he’d had so much, he believed he could fly. Left jobless and without a girlfriend, we meet Ruben in an AA meeting as he embarks on a journey to change his life.
The monologues were articulated with so much expression that the feelings and emotions established were powerful, so much so that I found myself experiencing these same emotions. As Ruben questions life and his decisions, and is forced to re-evaluate and make some changes, it’s hard not to reflect on one’s own journey.
Effective use of the power of suggestion through the change of lighting and music between each scene, the audience is able to follow the shift in setting that Ruben is experiencing. I felt pride, sadness, fear, hope, shame, encouragement and inspired as Ruben (Young) faced so many different sides to the struggle with drinking. The emotions were raw and with the diverse range of supporting characters playing the role of girlfriend, fiancé, sponsor, best friend, and family members, we see how their personal reactions to his choices have such a significant impact on his decisions that follow.
With all kinds of twists and turns throughout the story, I found my heart being pulled in so many different directions during the emotive journey being portrayed before me. I laughed and even cried, and felt the creative use of comedy within the story left a strong impression on the audience.
Stooged Theatre have once again come together to create a top of the line show, and I highly recommend you don’t miss it.
You can catch the shows at the Civic Playhouse on the following dates:
Wednesday August 21 – 8pm
Thursday August 22 – 8pm
Friday August 23 – 8pm
Saturday August 24 – 2pm & 8pm
Tickets are $35 for Adults, $30 for Concession, and $25 for 30 and under
Reviewer: Courtney Laura