Courtney Monsma
Words: 1192
Fuelled with intensity, Zeal theatre company's The Apology, fused physical theatre techniques, multiple role-sharing and live music into a visceral and dynamic piece of theatre, professionally and interactively expressing a searingly honest storyline, distinctively relatable to the young target audience. The thought provoking performance was astutely executed by seasoned company performers Sam Forster and Hayden Jones, amplified through the employment of dramatic conventions, creating Zeal theatres desired dramatic effect to create mood, enhance subtext and deliver a thoroughly entertaining, hard-hitting piece of interactive theatre containing a delight balance of comedy and drama.
The Apology looks at the repercussions of taking revenge and the long term effects that bullying can have externally and internally, forcing students to decide if punishment fits the crime. The story is told using a soliloquy technique in a narration format, effectively and directly introducing the audience. The piece is relatable to youth as it explores the common epidemic, bullying. The social hierarchy seen in the highschool environment is capsulated and translated into a performance form that is Artslink Queensland's The Apology. The background information from a sociocultural and historical context was thoroughly executed as the elements fit a modern day environment. The piece explores a diverse menagerie of characters created by dramaturge Stefo Nanstou portraying realistic depictions, socially accurate, of people with different life styles and upbringings, making the piece relatable to all array of audience members. They are cleverly portrayed by Sam Forster and Hayden Jones through specific acting techniques, working as an ensemble and movement manipulation. The fluent character changes are consistent throughout the show but are predominantly capsulated in the opening sequence where in which the two actors introduce the majority of