[THEATRE ~ AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE ~ GBR]

Holden Street Theatres – The Studio, Thu 14 Feb.

It’s hard to imagine that Build a Rocket is a debut play, but it is. From the pen of Christopher York, the writing is tight, modulating between gentle and explosive, between drawing you into Yasmin and her world and then sharing the joy and rage at what the world dishes out. It’s a very different coming of age (and to strength and maturity) story, from trapped and scarred young teenager to empowered young woman and mother.

The set is a simple, stylised playground roundabout and it forms a stage, a step, somewhere to have sex, to have a baby – versatile! Lighting and sound are all very effective, highlighting the drama to a tee. But then the acting; Yasmin, played by Serena Manteghi, has experience on stage and screen, mainly in the UK, but it’s her second trip to Adelaide to play our Fringe and she evidently likes coming.

Serena simply brings Yasmin to life, from her experience of teenage pregnancy, being deserted by boyfriend, by her drunken mother (the only family she’s had) through to her clear success as a mother through the difficulties of single parenthood, the joys, the triumphs and the low points; the tragedy of friends leaving her, ignoring her, the landlord who would likely try to hit on her, the difficulties of dealing with her son’s father who eventually does try to take an interest.

We’re on a roller-coaster with Yasmin, she talks, cajoles, laughs, cries and we’re with her all of the way. I can’t fault her performance in any way – she’s fabulous! I’ve been trying to think of ways I can reduce the star rating of this show – but no matter which way I look at it, it’s superb!

5 stars

Clayton Werner

Build A Rocket continues at Holden Street Theatres – The Studio, at various times, until Sat 17 Mar.

Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.

Image courtesy of Sam Taylor

#ADLfringe

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[THEATRE ~ AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE ~ GBR] Holden Street Theatres – The Studio, Thu 14 Feb. It’s hard to imagine that Build a Rocket is a debut play, but it is. From the pen of Christopher York, the writing is tight, modulating between gentle and explosive, between drawing you into Yasmin and her world and then sharing the joy and rage at what the world dishes out. It’s a very different coming of age (and to strength and maturity) story, from trapped and scarred young teenager to empowered young woman and mother. The set is a simple, stylised playground roundabout and it forms a stage, a step, somewhere to have sex, to have a baby – versatile! Lighting and sound are all very effective, highlighting the drama to a tee. But then the acting; Yasmin, played by Serena Manteghi, has experience on stage and screen, mainly in the UK, but it’s her second trip to Adelaide to play our Fringe and she evidently likes coming. Serena simply brings Yasmin to life, from her experience of teenage pregnancy, being deserted by boyfriend, by her drunken mother (the only family she’s had) through to her clear success as a mother through the difficulties of single parenthood, the joys, the triumphs and the low points; the tragedy of friends leaving her, ignoring her, the landlord who would likely try to hit on her, the difficulties of dealing with her son’s father who eventually does try to take an interest. We’re on a roller-coaster with Yasmin, she talks, cajoles, laughs, cries and we're with her all of the way. I can’t fault her performance in any way – she's fabulous! I've been trying to think of ways I can reduce the star rating of this show – but no matter which way I look at it, it’s superb! 5 stars Clayton Werner Build A Rocket continues at Holden Street Theatres – The Studio, at various times, until Sat 17 Mar. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. Image courtesy of Sam Taylor #ADLfringe

The Clothesline Rating...

Clayton Werner

A superb emotional roller-coaster!

User Rating: 5 ( 1 votes)
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