Thursday 22 December 2011

Gross und Klein (Big and Small)


(Sydney Theatre Company)

A German play with an English language text comprising ten scenes that presents contemporary scenes with vague allusions to Alice in Wonderland.

The principal character linking all the scenes is Lotte (Cate Blanchett) a woman who is possibly experiencing a nervous breakdown, who is hearing voices and who is engaged on a journey of sorts in which she encounters all manner of exotic urban characters.

Blanchett absolutely dominates Gross und Klein not simply because her character is on stage for almost every second of the play but for her extraordinary performance with it's massive range physically, emotionally and vocally.

Simple staging and lighting combine to produce a surprisingly effective stage image. The thirteen 'supporting' performers all contribute strongly in their cameos and multiple roles but it is Blanchett's night.

A memorable performance.

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