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Meet The Actor – The Secrets of Carmichael Manor

The Secrets of Carmichael Manor

The Secrets of Carmichael Manor is coming to Sydney on the 13th of October, and here we take the time to chat with the Actor, Director and Author of the show Kate Jirelle in our Meet The Actor Series.

Let’s turn our spotlights onto Kate and delve deeper into her and The Secrets of Carmichael Manor production.

Meet the Actor

About Kate

What do you enjoy most about acting?

What I most enjoy about acting is the ability it gives you to explore yourself and the world around you. Whenever I take on a new character, I learn so much about myself and what I’m capable of, but it also makes me consider other perspectives and other walks of life that I’ve never considered before.

Do you believe talent or training is more important to an actor?

I firmly believe it takes both, but I don’t think you need to get an acting degree necessarily. I never had the opportunity to attend a traditional drama school, but I have gained so much by training at places like Sydney Acting Studio, which offers regular and ongoing training with incredible teachers who always support, encourage, and challenge me to do my best. Whether you go to a traditional drama school or not, it’s essential to continuously work on your craft as an actor with people who inspire you and constantly push you to do your best work.

Which acting technique do you think is the best for you?

The foundation of my training has been the Meisner Technique, which is definitely the technique I would say is my foundation. However, as an actor, I’m constantly learning and always looking for new tools to add to the toolbox.

What do you believe is the most challenging aspect of being an actor?

To be an actor, you need to have a thick skin. When you become an actor, you hear “No” a lot more times than “Yes”, and it can be easy to let that get to you. However, I find that if you surround yourself with the right people who understand you, inspire you and can lift you up in the low times, it makes the more challenging times easier to navigate.

What is your favourite film or theatre production?

This changes for me almost daily, but I’m always a sucker for stories that can have me laughing one minute and crying the next. In terms of movies, Jo Jo Rabbit is definitely up there in the favourites list. In the category of plays, The Things I Know To Be True by Andrew Bovell is also a firm favourite. Regarding TV, I’ve recently hopped onto the Ted Lasso bandwagon and am very much enjoying the ride. 

About The Secrets of Carmichael Manor

How did the writing of this show come about?

Having acted in several Dark Stories productions before, I couldn’t help but jump at the chance when I was asked to write one. All Dark Stories shows have a great tone that often mixes history, mystery and humour, which is an absolute ball to write. I also couldn’t resist the opportunity to write for such a great venue as Experiment Farm Cottage. You can’t help but be inspired when it comes to such a beautiful historical building.

What sort of person is going to love this show?

I like to describe this show as Doctor Who meets Knives Out. So, if you like either one of those, I think you’ll love The Secrets of Carmichael Manor.

Who should not come see this show?

People who aren’t prepared to be dragged into the action. No, really – this show is very interactive, and the audience very much becomes part of the show. But, if being involved in the story is your cup of tea, you will enjoy this show.

Who in the show is most like their character?

I must say it’s Ben Durham playing the role of Father Patrick. The instant he walked into the audition, we knew we’d found our Father Pat – and that was even before he started delivering the scene.

Who’s the least?

Definitely, Gary Leonard Belshaw, who plays the role of George Carmichael. I’ve known Gary for a while now, and he is genuinely one of the most kind-hearted and generous performers I’ve met. In comparison, George is a very boorish and ill-tempered character, and it always amazes me how well Gary manages to slip into that energy when it is the very opposite of who he is. Talk about great acting!

Kate Jirelle can be seen in The Secrets of Carmichael Manor, which only runs for two weekends, from the 13th to the 15th of October and the 20th to 22nd of October, in the historic space of Experiment Farm Cottage, in Parramatta.

Venus and Adonis – a Play Within a Play of the Sonnet

Venus and Adonis

Venus and Adonis was filled with such strong performances; it came as no surprise to learn that the cast from Sport for Jove Theatre Company had previously been involved in the world of Shakespeare’s plays. Their delivery of various sonnets scattered throughout Venus and Adonis showcased their skills of navigating and steering the linguistics in a way that enthralled the audience.

I was particularly impressed with Anthony Gooley’s portrayal of William Shakespeare and how he coincided with the creation of sonnets in his mind by performing them aloud as the words appeared on the wall behind him as he spoke. This was a wonderfully original piece of visual theatre.

Venus and Adonis was written and directed by award-winner Damien Ryan, who has directed over 40 productions with Sport for Jove Theatre. I was at the opening night world premiere at The Seymour Centre for the play three years after the feature film of the same name was released in 2020. Many of the cast reprised their roles for this live performance.

Venus and Adonis

It is a bold story of the woman rival to Shakespeare, his secrets, intertwining his wife Agnes Hathaway (Bernadette Ryan) and a personal family tragedy into an engrossing stage production. Bernadette garnered my sympathy as Will’s wife and put in a powerful performance with lines that cut.

The play begins dramatically, introducing us to William Shakespeare and his mistress, Aemilia Lanyer, played by Adele Querol, who also performs the role of Venus. Adele’s solid performance as both Aemilia and Venus stood out as both characters were strong women, with Aemilia (Millie) having a voice essential to the play’s theme.

Damien Ryan brought Millie into the story as a talented poetess and stage actor during the late 1500s when women were not as valued as men and not allowed to perform on stage or be published. (Aemilia Lanyer was the first Englishwoman poet to publish a volume of original verse in 1611).

Adele brought depth when she was portraying Aemelia, who played Venus in a private performance for Queen Elizabeth I. Belinda Giblin’s version of Queen Elizabeth I was both commanding and regal, showcasing a distinct no-nonsense intelligence and sharp humour, especially toward the second half of the play.

Alongside Venus in this play for the Queen was Adonis, performed by Jerome Meyer. In the sonnet, this character was ‘hunt obsessed’ and fairly bland but was brought to life colourfully as Jerome’s portrayal of Nathaniel (Nate) Field, who took on the challenge of playing a male. Nate was previously only performing female roles.

Venus and Adonis
Venus and Adonis

The supporting cast in the ‘play within a play’ was outstanding, with all cast members eliciting laughs consistently. The production and careful costume design by Bernadette Ryan firmly placed us in the Tudor period.

The stage was cleverly lit, with lighting designer Sophie Parker using mirrors and shadows to create atmosphere throughout the play. This was particularly poignant during an emotional scene with Hamnet Shakespeare, played by Liv Rey Laaksonen.

The use of music, composed by Jay Cameron and played whilst the characters spoke, provided the feel of a dramatic cinematic layer.

Venus and Adonis is an original stage production that I recommend for both Shakespeare fans and those who aren’t very keen on sonnets – who knows, after seeing this play, you may find yourself falling in love with the beauty of poetry.

Venus and Adonis is playing in the Reginald Theatre at The Seymour Centre, on the corner of City Rd and Cleveland St, Chippendale, between 29 September – 21 October 2023.

Duration: 165 minutes (including interval)

Tickets:

  • Full $54
  • Concession (Pensioner, Veteran, Full-time Student, Senior) $42
  • Under 35/ Groups of 8+ $39

This review also appears on It’s On The House.

Venus and Adonis
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A Generational Voyage – Waru: Journey of the Small Turtle

Waru: Journey of the Small Turtle

Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Waru: Journey of the Small Turtle follows the generational journey of a turtle coming out of its egg, finding its way to the sea, growing up big and strong, and returning to lay eggs of their own.

The audience walks in to see a beautifully set stage with fairy lights and magical dot lighting on the walls, like millions of fireflies in the night sky. The ambient music and beach sounds complete the scene and allow the young audience to ponder what they will see when the performance begins.

The first words the audience hears are in a whisper. A voice pays respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, on which the performance takes place, and tells the audience a little bit about what is to come in the production. As the play is aimed at a younger audience, this whisper was an absolutely beautiful way to ease them into the performance space.

The turtle’s story is told from the perspective of a grandmother who lives on the beach and acts as the guardian of the turtles. As such, the journey of the small turtle is told from her perspective and includes many delightful moments of dance, kung fu and song.

The performance itself consisted of two actors – Elma Kris and Aba Beru. Elma’s voice as the grandmother was welcoming, encouraging, and engaging, and her energy was wonderful and drew in the audience. Aba embodied their multiple roles full-heartedly and met their unique energies with joy and consideration.

Audience engagement and interaction was a large part of this performance, and on opening night, the crowd followed Elma’s gentle-paced storytelling through dancing and singing. As the story followed the journey of two mother turtles, the dances and songs were repeated. This repetition was perfect for the young audience to help them remember the dances after the performance.

Waru: Journey of the Small Turtle

Another wonderfully age-considerate inclusion was that the play notes the change in ambient music as a foreboding tool. When the lighting and music change and Elma asks the audience, “Can you feel it?” this not only helps the young audience follow in the drama of the story at that moment but also helps them on a broader scale to pay attention to the soundscape and lighting of the show in general.

Waru: Journey of a Small Turtle is the first dedicated children’s performance from the Bangarra Dance Theatre, and for their first production, they got a lot of things right. The drama of the piece and the warm nature of the grandmother’s character kept the engagement levels high for all ages. The story was told in a way that I was not expecting, and I would encourage anyone with small children to give them the opportunity to see this story told on stage.

Performances are running in Gadigal Country (Sydney) until October 14th, then will move to Wadawarrung Country (Geelong) until October 21st.

This review also appears in It’s On The House.

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The Crime is Mine – French Comedy Murder Mystery Film

The Crime is Mine is the latest from acclaimed director François Ozon and features French stars Isabelle Huppert and Dany Boon, supported by a stellar cast including Fabrice Luchini, André Dussollier, Nadia Tereszkiewicz, and Rebecca Marder. Take a step back to 1930s Paris, as ‘The Crime Is Mine’ follows young and struggling actress Madeline and her loyal friend Pauline.

The film begins with Madeleine being accused of murdering a renowned producer. Assisted by her friend Pauline, a jobless young lawyer, Madeleine is acquitted, claiming self-defence. Astonishingly, her life transforms into one of fame and fortune, with secrets lurking beneath the surface.

The first thing that stood out was the chemistry between the lead females, Madeline (Nadia Tereskiewicz) and Pauline (Rebecca Marder). There is a theme of sisterhood between this pair throughout the film. Pauline consistently goes the extra mile to ensure a lavish lifestyle for the two friends. Another humorous addition to the cast was Isabelle Huppert, who plays former silent film star Odette Chaumette.

François Ozon sets the scene of the 1930s with his visual style, over-the-top acting and a series of plot twists, each more unlikely than the last. The potential flashback scenes of the murder were almost straight out of an old silent film from the 1930s era. Much like films from this era, characters can switch from serious to funny.

The costumes and make-up add to the story as they reflect the period. We watch Madeleine and Pauline’s outfits become more extravagant as the story evolves. The over-the-top outfits worn by Odette added to the larger-than-life character. The production design and soundtrack contribute to the atmosphere set in The Crime is Mine.

The Crime is Mine is an entertaining film that makes comedy and murder work in the same story. It is not always clear where the film will take you next, and the plot twists are funny and unexpected. Although there is some over-acting, this was intentional and not to be taken too seriously.

With more than 1 million admissions at the French box office, The Crime is Mine is the European comedy hit of 2023 and will be released in Australian cinemas on Thursday, 12th October. Oui oui!

This review also appears on It’s On The House.

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