Mark’s Score: 3 /5 Stars
This high-tech world we inhabit would have us feeling a lesser mortal if we fell behind the times and god-forbid did not have the latest gadgetry or were not fully plugged into the 24/7 zeitgeist. All the while we seek more time for ourselves thinking technologies will provide this, when in fact we are slaves to our electronic devices and constantly live the lives of at least two people. Result ? The same exhaustion our forebears suffered. Self help books and alternate lifestyle gurus harp on about “keeping it simple”, when to do so you run the risk of disappearing. I often wonder if others in my age bracket (50s) feel the same terror- that of slowing down and truly embracing a work/life balance only to widen the generational gap even more. It is a recurring topic amongst my cronies.
Paul Gilchrist’s play has an intriguing title: Simple Souls. Is it to mean stupid beings or that of unharried spirits? His chief protagonist Marguerite (Madeleine Withington) cunningly appears to merge those two notions in order to survive the present day helter skelter of existence. I must admit that this is a tactic I embraced some time ago and now live a vicarious life of a somewhat artist thereby deflecting many of the ills of the world. The premise to set the action of the play in a makeshift theatre – space is very effective as such an arena can only allow its participants to exorcise their demons. This has been the point of theatre since time immemorial, and why it will never cease to exist.
The players in the piece have a versatility that impresses. Withington keeps it all in place stoically, her arguments crystal clear as a mysterious woman who has posted ads on 
lampposts (very low-tech indeed) inviting one and all to her stage to revel in introspection and exposé. Her exuberant side-kick Trudy and the only real actor to show up is portrayed by Julia Christensen whose ever present comedic flair is matched in a touching short monologue about the pitfalls in the acting world. There was a synergy of fine writing and onpoint performance here. Alison Benstead’s glove puppet waif sustained a fragility in well grounded pathos, Simon Lee’s verbal dexterity and honest physicality is a joy to behold making his occasional unlikeable Thomas likeable. Lisa Hanssens’ Terri still mystifies me. As an internal machination she never appearing with anyone else but Marguerite poking and prodding her all the while. Thu Nguyen and Lewis Scamozzi provide fine support in polar opposite characterisation she always on the move and eager to please while he is cool, static and a lurking spectre.
Ash Walker’s sound design is both inviting and nebulous and flows with Gilchrist’s direction, the latter’s efforts assisted by Angus Evans. The text is dense at times and wanders off momentarily three-quarters of the way through. However if theatre can act as a form of therapy then this work comes close. And like good theatre it should remain with you – as this has.
I recommend the piece as its circus/game show structure sits well within its magic realism genre. Certainly NOT 6 characters (plus Marguerite) in Search of an Author – as its superior to that work of Prindello’s, which I never liked.
Mark G Nagle – Theatre Now
13 – 30 Nov 2019
Venue: Fringe HQ
Theatre Company: subtlenuance
Duration: N/A
Ticket Prices:
$30 Full Price /$25 Concession / Industry / Groups 6+ / Previews $20 (13 & 14 Nov)
plus booking fee
Tue to Sat 7pm
By Paul Gilchrist
Sick of a society
of Twitter and trolls, anger and argument?
Marguerite has the cure.
It’s her new show – Simple Souls. It’s fun.
It’s friendly.
And it’s about to get her into serious shit.
But this woman won’t be silenced.
A joyous comedy from the writer of Cristina in the Cupboard.
