WHAT: Heavenly Bodies – (originally performed as ‘The twisted tale of Filipo and Verona) 

Written and Directed by: Kerry Lynch.

WHERE: Otahuhu College

WHEN: August 20th - 23rd 2008.

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Firstly, this is a production team that knows and understands how theatre works and what is needed to set the atmosphere and support the performers. A standard old school hall has been converted into an arena style theatre. The audience sits upon 800 wooden pallets stacked and floored neatly to offer an intimate view as the action unfolds. The setting evokes something of a classical Greek theatre style and this enables the chorus and muses to perform en masse, with freedom of movement. Sound quality is exceptionally sharp, the lighting cues are spot on and the musical accompaniment is varied, interesting and entirely empathetic. Full marks to the wardrobe department for costuming a large cast in appropriate style. It is very evident that the well-drilled cast and crew have devoted countless hours in preparing the production . And it shows!

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FILIPO AND VERONA is quite likely a first. This Samoan-Italian love story is set in South Auckland but it could sit easily in other communities in NZ and elsewhere. Two teenagers are selected by the three Fates, who plan to have a little fun by making mayhem. A throw of the dice selects one of the teens to suffer unrequited love. The play has some lovely comical touches incorporating dancing and carefully chosen classic love songs (sung by the Fates) to comment on the story as it unfolds. Without giving the plot away, it was a relief to the audience that the play did not end in tragedy. Even so, this reviewer was amazed at the numerous members of the audience who were sobbing, so engrossed were they in this twisted tale.

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Congratulations to the Fates Electra, Cassandra and Phoebe. They have dignity and style and sing in beautiful harmony with every word of the lyrics clear as a bell. Maile Finau as Cassandra knows how to be sassy and injects something special into this tight knit team. Shanice Tu’ua shines in the dual role of Nonna and Ms Barker. These characters are a delight and how she manages to summon buckets of tears at the right moment is a wonder. I enjoyed Martins witty lines delivered with aplomb by Andrew Riwhi Harding. But the show would fail without convincing characterizations from the staunch friend Lawrence, the mafia man Roberto and of course the thwarted lovers Filipo and Verona. All perform with charm and conviction. In fact, sincerity is a hallmark of this production.

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Writer Kerry Lynch has a good ear for schoolyard patois. He has written witty stuff for his actors and the introduction of Samoan and Italian languages delighted the audience. In fact the giggles, shrieks of delight and loud laughs from the demonstrative audience must have encouraged the performers mightily. Their collective reaction serves to demonstrate just how relevant organic drama can be. The performers all appear at ease with the sophisticated text and style of the production and Director Kerry Lynch has drawn a level of understanding from his Company that belies their relatively tender years.

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Some tightening of the script by pruning a few lines here and there and a more varied pace in some scenes would be helpful. The playing time of around 2 hours 45 minutes makes this twisted tale, with such a big cast, a large scale production. FILIPO AND VERONA is a show that Otahuhu College and all those involved in its making should be very proud of. There should not be a spare seat in the house for the rest of the season!

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REVIEWED BY BRIAN HANNAM. Writer/Director/Actor/Drama Teacher. Former Theatre reviewer for Taranaki Herald & Waikato Times, ACT Magazine.