Labyrinth Review
01.09.22
Wall Street, boys clubs, gambling and money, money, money. There is nothing like a theatrical dive into the complex world of the 1970s-80s Bank of America. Just how many men tread the path of Icarus and are left free falling?
Beth Steel’s incredible play Labyrinth does more than just put on a great show – it illuminates each callous decision and manic attempt for success that led the world into peril and chaos for decades. Margaret Thanos, an absolute dynamite director, comes through with masterful moments and impeccable choices. From the conga line to the elevator – you can’t ask for more. Yet, she gives it to you!
Lighting design by Jas Borsovszky and sound design by Sam Cheng kept the audience alert and on a sensory high, matching the fast-paced and frenzied Wall Street life every second.
Watch as John (Matt Abotomey) falls into the greedy depths of finance and loses all sense of his former self. As ghosts of his past begin to haunt those all-too-familiar choices, and finally drive him to his breaking point – a (literally) crushing few moments that were hard to stomach.
Angus Evans’ Charlie was exactly the Wall Street shark you’d imagine. Dark, despicable and downright criminal. You hate him, yet you can’t get enough of his flippant behaviour and his comedic timing. Angus wears Charlie like a suit (pun intended), so well that he expertly incorporates a prop malfunction into the production without delay. The audience was still raving about it in the foyer afterwards!
Tasha O’Brien and Rachael Colquhoun-Fairweather! You better prepare yourselves for these two, and I mean it! These two have you laughing so hard you could slip out of your seat. Every moment is complex and rich with body language, facial expression and vocal humour. I couldn’t get enough. Delivering intense and deeply dramatic lines, accompanied by outlandish faces and Skittle eating. These two are my standouts for the show, breaking down the atmosphere exactly when needed and delivering more than we could ask for!
The incomparable Lib Campbell takes on multiple characters, and despite the roles taking up little time on stage, she gave her roles everything she had, and it showed tremendously.
Without further delay, I give you Patricio Ibarra, an Argentinian actor I hope to see all over indie and mainstage theatre. He plays not one, but all of the Ministers. Each moment he was on stage I was gripped, loving his charismatic Mexican Minister, and hating his conniving Argentinian Minister. Some brilliantly executed characters!
Don’t think I have forgotten about the full cast, as there were so many! Diego Retamales is a deeply beautiful actor who brought to life the bartender and his tragic story. Edric Hong, whose range and complexity have blown me out of the water! Brendan Miles, who betrayed us so quickly with his insatiable need for more and his scheming with no end. Camila Ponte-Alvarez had my heart the moment her powerful voice delivered a monologue so devastating it was impossible to look away. Richard Cox’s Frank created comedic turbulence at every opportunity – and the accent? Loved it! Finally, the chameleon himself, Tom Hanaee. Watch as he transforms from cubical goof to chilling businessman, from fumbling golf boy to swaggering loan shark. He really can do it all.
4 Stars.
Gia, 24, [she/her]
Dream Plan Production’s Labyrinth played at Flightpath Theatre from the 17th of August to the 3rd of September.