Tough girls win through

by LES EVERETT

LIKE another Fremantle-based team deckchair theatre has been subject to criticism and ridicule and responded in the best possible way.

Caroline McKenzie and Eillen Darley in deckchair theatre's Tough Girls. Photo by Shane Reid.

Deckchair promised a hard at the ball game plan in its 2006 program and certainly delivered in its first up offering Love.

The latest production Tough Girls also hits the mark.

It is set in an on-site van in a Melbourne caravan park where Ella (wife of a gangland figure) is being housed on rather tenuous witness-protection.

Ella (Eileen Darley) is under the relatively watchful eye of Irene (Caroline McKenzie) a cop who is "...no benter than I should be".

Also part of the action are merciless matriarch Vivien (Jacqy Phillips) and apologetic, untrustworthy junky Luce (Rhoda Lopez).

The story by Melissa Reeves is based on real events in the seedy Melbourne underground and composer Irine Vela cleverly tells much of the back-story in songs.

The singing is a particular highlight in this show.

The stage set up, with the audience on either side provides intimacy but inevitably there are times when cast members have their backs to the audience causing a bit of disconnection.

Tough Girls is an entertaining musical with plenty of laughs and enough suggestions of police corruption and criminal behaviour to make you think.

Tough Girls runs until September 2 at Victoria Hall, 179 High Street, Fremantle. Bookings through BOCS on 9484 1133. Call 9430 4771 to ask about the dinner and show deal with Tropicana Cafe. Show starts 8pm and tickets are available at the door.

From the Fremantle Herald.

30 August 2006

australianrules.com.au

Disclaimer