Rising water Review
Set on a mariner in Fremantle the play Rising water leaves much to be desired. The dense language and eighty style jokes provide a hurdle in trying to follow the never ending dialogue between the four lifeless characters.
Each character has retreated to the edges of Australia's coast to escape their previous lives that are full of regret.
Baxter the main character is a previous headmaster and geography teacher. He was exploited by the media when he was accused of 'fiddling' with a fifteen year old mother who he was helping get back on her feet. This plus the separation from his family has left Baxter with a very cynical humor. He sold up his past life and retreated to his boat 'shirley'. The set consists of three boats sitting on a black stage which due to the lighting gives the illusion of rippled water. These realistic boats capture most of your attention reflecting the characters who live on them. Jackie's boat is refined and appears to have a sense of superiority over the others. The two guys boats however need a little elbow grease and adopt their attitude of not caring about life. The set remains the same throughout the entire performance. Light is used to emphasis dramatic moments in the play such as Dee's drowning. During which the lights become apart of the audience and drag them under. Sounds are also used with the splashing of objects in the water and partying of lively souls.
Col can be seen as a fatherly figure to Baxter. He to is running from his past. Once an accountant Col was forced to flee his life when he got caught up in a corrupt government project. Col's character is sarcastic and uses language far from that of a supposedly well educated accountant.
The arrival of British backpacker Dee sparks debate as she causes the secrets of the characters to be exposed. Dee also provides a window into the racism associated with Perth culture. She is portrayed as rough due to her rock star appearance but we discover that she is just a kid who was in search of the backpackers dream and is in search of the attention which she missed out on from her mother.
The arrival of Dee sparks concern from Jackie the supposed lesbian and recovering alcoholic. Jackie appears to be of healthy soul and in need of companionship as she leaves her life of mystery behind and reaches out to Baxter in order to feed her curiosity.
The quick banter between characters hints towards the idea that our culture is very shallow and pointless as Winton has a go at Australia day conveying the idea that it's just an excuse for a drink.
All the characters are hiding. Their boats provide a camouflage and shields them from the change that they crave. Their laid back and ritual lifestyles leave the three main characters like the boats they live on drifting, tied to the one spot and never leaving it.
While known as a famous Australian author by many Winton still has much work to put in when it comes to play writing. The witty banter between characters would have been far better suited to that of a novel. To much was packed into the two hours. However I must say the special effects used during Dee's drawing and the set were phenomenal and managed to give the production the giant lift it needed.
