Arts & Entertainment
Experience counts in ‘The Goldberg Variations’
Malcolm Riddle spoke with Aubrey Mellor recently on the question of how difficult it
appeared to be for more senior actors to find roles suited to them in Australia.
Director Aubrey Mellor is most certainly concerned at the scarcity of acting opportunities for the more senior echelon of actors here, as well as citing just a handful of the veteran actors really keen to tackle what can be a demanding role. “Bud Tingwell, Patricia Kennedy, Bob Hornery, Joan Sydney, June Salter, Monica Maughan, John Wood, Rhys McConachie and Ann Phelan come to mind,” he says, “but you know, the playwrights — often commissioned by Playbox — simply do not write many parts in for older actors, and to be honest, some of the older ones feel somehow therefore out of practice, and can be really afraid to take on what can be quite a strenuous season!”
He also speaks of the benefit of the repertory concept in Britain where actors regularly exercise and extend their skills through touring with a stable of plays, each in their way demanding but paying dividends in sustaining the older actors’ talents. “Judi Dench for instance might play Mother Courage, and be pleased to have the opportunity to hone or extend her already prodigious talent. And by contrast to us, we constantly see older members of the British scene on our screens or treading the boards. Their names are legion.”
Mellor is pleased that one of their current productions at Playbox, Ron Elisha’s play ‘The Goldberg Variations’ does feature two veterans in Catherine Wilkins and John Wood. “Directors are prone however to use young people to play older,” he says, “and even older to play younger, which is not ideal.” Mellor further feels that the presence of older more experienced role members in a play can immeasurably assist a production’s depth and quality, because the director can evoke versatility and atmosphere more readily, and less experienced players extract benefit.
‘The Goldberg Variations’ is a Jewish family comedy which chronicles the Goldbergs’ progress over twenty years. It concentrates on filial ties and the family’s needs to express honest and true feelings. The play is billed as vivid, wonderfully eccentric and tender. John Wood of Blue Heelers fame plays a leading role as Levi Goldberg. Other cast members are Brian Lipson, Pip Mushin, Christen O’Leary and Catherine Wilkin. Max Gillies directs the play.
‘The Goldberg Variations’ runs until 17 June at the CUB Malthouse, 113 Sturt Street Southbank. Bookings on (03)9685 5111
Other interviews by Malcolm Riddle
