Rattling the Keys

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Date Reviewed: 27/06/2020

written by Barry Hill

Reviewing a virtual play is a unique experience. On the plus side you can replay the sections you enjoy plus have the comforts of home while watching. On the negative side you lose the atmosphere of a live production and connections made with actors. So, I approached this production (the only way to see live theatre during Covid 19) with caution and anticipation.

I was not disappointed. Rattling the Keys is an exploration of young adults’ relationship with drugs and their accompanying difficulty managing relationships with each other and the law.

The play revolves around five friends living in the same house in Coober Pedy and their attempts to grapple with the murder of Tyson, their next-door neighbour. Two of the five friends are implicated and their involvement slowly unravels.

Tempers fray, emotions are raw and relationships between the friends are strained to breaking point as they await the arrival of the police until the revelation in the final scene which is brutal and heart rending at the same time. Their lives will never be the same again.

Rattling the Keys explores the lack of resources for youth who are addicted to drugs or trying to ‘kick the habit’. Zoe Muller, the playwright, who also plays Arcadia, is a new playwright who tackles these issues with honesty and a ‘no holds barred’ approach.

It was presented as live theatre in January and has been revised to create this version which is not a movie, rather a play filmed (including the bows).

The play is written as an ensemble piece and features Matilda Butler (Billy, girlfriend of Kai), Henry Solomon (Teddy, one of the murder suspects), Zoe Muller (Arcadia, Teddy’s sister who is fiercely protective of Teddy), Albert Ngo (Kai, the other suspect) and Alex Whitrow (Ashton, the voice of reason among the five).

The characters are nicely rounded and believable – Billy, torn between her loyalty to her boyfriend Kai and wanting to better herself, Teddy, damaged by drugs and afraid of his lack of control when under their influence, Arcadia, having to choose between protecting her brother and friendship with the other housemates, Albert, haunted by his inability to recall his role in the murder and Ashton, the calming influence trying to unite his friends.

There are many memorable scenes - Arcadia describing the details of the night of the murder to Billy, Kai and Billy’s drunk scene (played in slow motion) and Billy and Arcadia’s reminisces of their childhood.

Director Geoff Brittain has handled the social distancing of the play extremely well. The action never feels forced or unnatural.

The use of black and white artwork between scenes adds another dimension to the play. Ole Wiebkin’s simple set focusses the action, Kristoffer Lucia’s music provides the necessary atmosphere and Thomas Filsell’s direction of the photography, editing and camera operation, along with many other essential support personnel ensures a polished final product.

My only reservations about this production were an uneven balance of sound at times which resulted in having to strain to hear some sections and some of the actors starting the play at full volume and emotional range. This left them nowhere to go for the rest of the play.

The Adelaide Repertory Theatre is to be congratulated for keeping amateur theatre alive during this difficult time and also Zoe Muller, for giving us an insight into the problems faced by young adults and their use of drugs.

The youth of today are the future of theatre in the years to come and Rattling the Keys is thought provoking example of this!

You can view this production using the link - https://www.youtube.com/channe...