DIVE - a new Australian musical
DIVE is a new Australian rock musical set in a rooming house in Melbourne.
It uses humour and drama to portray the complex lives of a group of disadvantaged Australians trying to get ahead.
DIVE is written by the well-known Australian music theatre writer Xavier Brouwer and is being performed at the Open Stage Theatre, Melbourne University (near Lygon St).
More information can be found at: www.divethemusical.com
Feedback/Comments
Very enjoyable
Hi,
I went and saw this a few weeks ago. We enjoyed it.
Strong story line, uncomfortable in a thought provoking way, some hilarious moments (though I think half the crowd wasn't sure if they were meant to or not given the seriousness of the plot, which made me laugh harder). All I all a good production with some powerful voices & strong messages.
Dive was OK, a few good music bits but all in all it was a little long winded.No interval which was a little uncomfortable.
I do appreciate the fact that all live theatre has it's own take.
Cheers
Michael
Confronting and powerful
This is a show with potential. It was less stereotyped than many shows that try to cover similar subject matter and drew attention to some serious issues relating to homelessness. The individual performances could have been improved with some firmer directing and some dramaturgy could bring it up a notch for a future season.
This show felt like a good work in progress. I would like to see where it is taken from here, because the final, polished work could be something really worth getting out there.
I agreed with Carmel that it was Harsh reality delivered in a new way
Harsh reality delivered in a new way
This musical delivers a strong message about the harsh realities of life and obstacles faced by those who are homeless and their impact on the lives of others. It was very well acted and moving with a touch of humour. Leonie
Excellent storyline. Good songs, lyrically nailed it. Actors well cast and delivered some compelling moments. A rough diamond well worth polishing.
Well done musical. Like the music score.
I thought the writer really captured the harsh realities of life for the people in "Suicide House" as well as the police officers. The acting was very good and we felt all their pain, anger and frustration. This is not your normal musical, but certainly a very interesting one
Not a feel good show as you expect a musical to be. Dark subject matter. Dark characters. Dark storyline. Almost no plot, just a situation and various reactions to it. Standout song routine was Policy but the rest were pretty woeful.
Dive is not a feel good theatrical experience. There is no redemption to be found here. And that is precisely the point.
In a cleverly crafted storyline, Xavier Brouwer nails the stark reality of daily life for those who inhabit Australia’s social underbelly. With a cast of nine, he invites us to get up close and personal with the unemployed, socially ostracised, mentally ill, violent criminal and other disadvantaged characters. He allows us to venture into their world from the comfort of our theatre chairs.
As we entered the theatre, a single spotlight hovered over Cory Corbett (as Bram) playing the didgeridoo. The haunting sound set a fitting tone for the experience ahead. A stark stage held multiple settings where each scene was played out. A stove and table setting for a kitchen scene, beer bottles and other rubbish scattered on the floor; mattresses on the floor depicting two bedrooms at the rear of the stage; a desk to one side for the Centrelink office; and a broken bench on the other side for the park.
While the storyline flowed well and characters became believable, sadly, the singing ability of the cast let the production down. After all, a musical relies on each actor’s ability to sing. They were supported by a talented live band – guitar, bass guitar, sax and drums – and the musicians made a masterful effort in pitching rhythm, tone and mood to match the action playing out in front of us. The harsh sound system was not kind to the actors, who were obviously challenged in hitting the right notes on many occasions.
The multicultural mix of characters gave an authentic feel to the diverse demographics of contemporary Australia. Standout performances in the area of character portrayal were delivered by Lucinda Barrett (as Sue), Otis Binnie (as The Bureaucrat) and Aparna Bhattacharjee (as Wilma).
Dive delivers in regards to giving a voice to Australia’s hidden underclass and creating a point of reflection for those of us lucky enough to have no first-hand experience of life in such a hopeless space. With better vocal talent, this play could really shine.
~ Reviewed by Kellie Hancock
Outstanding! Captured my attention the entire time. The writing was excellent. The acting was brilliant! Well done.
Really good