SCENE ONE:
EXT. FRONT PORCH - MID AFTERNOON.
EXT. FRONT PORCH - MID AFTERNOON.
CHARACTER "BETH" HAIR MESSY FROM A JUST WOKEN UP NAP. JEANS and FLIP FLOPS.
We find our character trying to figure out how to remove the tricky, Australian light bulb from the motion sensor flood light that has burnt out. Screwdriver in hand. Front door is open though nothing is propping it open. Interior of house through front door shows back door open as well.
Suddenly large gust of wind blows, slamming the front door closed. Door is self locking. Key is needed to open.
FREEZEFRAME ON BETH'S FACE AS REALIZATION THAT ALL KEYS, CELL PHONES ARE INSIDE THE HOUSE AND SHE HAD ONLY MOMENTS BEFORE CLOSED AND LOCKED THE FRONT WINDOW ON THE FIRST FLOOR.
As panic sets in there are two options:
A: run up into town center on the hopes that rental office is still open. At 4:30p in the afternoon this is very unlikely.
B: Scale backyard fence and try to get into house. Security door to back door is locked.
As I run into back alley, I have to wait until the park clears. Don't need Aussie cops knocking on my door because they think I am a burglar. Might halt that visa application I lodged this week.
Fence is wood with no good foot holds. That being said, there is a tree in the corner of the property and there is a limb just low enough for me to grab to try to pull myself up. Halfway up and the limb gives way. Doesn't break but limb is kind of rubbery so just droops with no hold for my body weight.
Noticing that neighbors picnic table is near the fence, maybe I can use their table to jump over!
Run back to front and knock on their door. Alas, no one is home!
Return to alley determined to scale this wooden fence. If only I can get my foot up unto the neighbor's
iron fence (lower and open grates!), I can grab a higher tree branch, have stronger footing and jump over!
Let's just say much easier said than done. After a little "monkeying around" find myself at the top of the fence.
Jump the few feet down unto a brick patio and make way to bathroom window. Fortunately, owners left a
three foot planter filled with water by the window that I can stand on to catapult myself into the bathroom, landing on the toilet.
Feeling victorious, this is the first time I am sooo happy to find that screens are not a necessary household item here!
Cut to my big smiling face and only a few bruises and scraps on arms and legs.
INTERMISSION
SCENE TWO:
ENSEMBLE THEATHER, KIRRIBILLI
PRODUCTION OF RAINMAIN
Production Photography by Natalie Boog
Fun Facts:
Sydney's longest running theater company (founded 1958).
Located on Sydney Harbour in an old boat shed, produces 8-9 national and international plays per year.
Third largest subscription base in the country.
Russell Crowe among the list of known performers to have acted on stage here.
Intimate theater in the round with stage at the bottom of the room, almost like a lecture hall. Floor seats are right on the floor along with actors. Talk about front row views! Not a large theater at all--probably 200 seats perhaps.
So interested to see how this production was going to mimic and/or differentiate from the film. Very brave to tackle a well known movie like this.
Setting along back wall is map of US from LA to Cincinnati. Small white lights throughout the map will track the characters progress between the two cities. Think flight scenes from Sleepless in Seattle.
Back wall also has cubbies with doors that open to help set the scene and/or store stage items that will be wheeled around the stage (i.e. office decor, hotel room, etc.).
Charlie Babbit is played by: Alex Dimitriades
Raymond Babbit is played by: Daniel Mitchell
Both of these guys did a really good job. The production made you laugh and made you uncomfortable at moments because you felt like you were intruding on someone else's moment. Daniel Mitchell's acting as an autistic Raymond blew me away. I do have to say that I really need to rent the dvd now as Charlie Babbit was played as a very angry character all the way thru to the end of the play and I do not remember that much anger. Frustration yes, but not pure anger.
Good production. Hope it makes it way to the US.
Have to keep an eye out for the next production in the rotation.
Good production. Hope it makes it way to the US.
Have to keep an eye out for the next production in the rotation.
THE END
