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aestro, a new world premiere play Maestro has a wide variety of actors and helpers to make this production as worthwhile and as good as it can get. Maestro includes the fabulous acting of: Luke Clayson as Paul Crabbe, the main character of the play. Dennis Olsen plays the grand master and tutor of the piano, Eduard Keller. Ellen Steele starts as Rosie Zollo and Michaela Cantwell as Betty Zollo. Maestro is a great performance for the whole family. It shares interesting
circulating around the nation; created by the State Theatre Company of South Australia. Maestro is based on the novel which was written by a South Australian, Peter Goldsworthy. After 20 years in dormant and selling over 200,000 copies in Australia alone, the book has come to life in a new and wonderful play directed by the magnificent director, Martin Laud Gray. The play, Maestro will be producing several shows at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Adelaide, 27th February to 11th March 2009. Maestro is based on a story of Paul Crabbe, a pianist and a child of a very musicinvolved family. Paul’s extremely good talent in piano playing has come to his parents attention, and are making him take piano lessons from the one and only, grand master of pianos, Eduard Keller. Paul and Eduard gets acquainted and soon find out that Paul does not want to receive any more lessons by him, due to Eduard telling Paul that he can’t touch the piano for one
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information about the past during World War 2. The play sets great pictures on the backdrop during the play, depending on their location and their situation. This play was really interesting and entertaining; it involves the audience into scenes and makes them feel a part of the show. This idea of involving the audience makes the show more interesting and enjoyable. It’s a great idea made by the directors of Maestro.
Maestro has very strong and powerful scenes throughout the play. Some would find parts in the play emotional and dramatic, while others will think it’s boring and lame. Personally, I think that this play is magnificent. Maestro has a very strong scene during the play. This strong part would be when Eduard Keller was talking about his past just before a Hurricane was about to hit his town. He goes on to talk about it, mentioning a few German words and saying, ‘HEIL HITLER’ in a strong, powerfull voice. The emotion and determination of Eduard, refusing to leave his little house just before the hurricane was about to hit. This scene is very powerfull, and means a lot to him, and the survivors of World War II. Maestro’s major strengths throughout the play would be the fabulous acting by the actors and how fast and well they changed between scenes. They used their acting talent, and brought moving scenes and furniture into their roles. The play didn’t have any major weaknesses. It was all well rehearsed, and organised.
Above: Luke Clayson (Paul Crabbe) (Left) and Ellen Steele (Rosie Zollo) (Right)
The way the actors spoke and different tones in this play were really well done. They proved the points, got your attention and also made the play more humorous. The performances done by these actors were very well convincing, their body movements and positions on the stage are very well done as well. This helps make a play more successful and enjoyable, and they sure done this. Their body movements and positioning on the stage were excellent. There were barely any times where they showed their backs towards the audience, and if they did, it was either them moving to another scene, moving furniture or walking around. The actors in this play worked really well together, and are very familiar with their roles and lines. There were no noticeable mistakes, and if there were any, they were well covered up.
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The set and layout sure set the mood right Maestro’s design and layout was really well. The picture in Venice whilst playing the piano in the beginning, to the jungle background with moving leaves and for the play. The piano, centred in the stage throughout the whole play just set everything into mood. The piano in the middle of the whole stage showed how important and significant the piano was, and how much it meant to Paul Crabbe. The costumes were certainly enhanced the performance and look of the play. The clothes they were wearing where the sort of clothes people back in that era wore, especially the while suit, and the well dressed father of the family. The whole play in general was a huge success, and is sure to entertain the public in future shows. The acting, props, costumes, lighting, sound and the pure
Above: Joseph Del Re (Left) and Tim Lucas (Right) in-front of the forest backdrop
shadows to the abstract clouds, when the fierce storm was on approach. All these background images on the massive
backdrop were really well chosen and proved their point really well, which shows the type of location and situation they're in.
entertainment was really well worked out and set. These items made this play worthwhile seeing, and making it more
The lighting in Maestro was outstanding, especially when the hurricane was
enjoyable and fantastic throughout the play. This play would be great to show the whole family and is a must see for music-loved families or piano lovers all around the nation.
attacking the town. The side of the stage lights were flashing violently and the loud banging noise coming through the front of house speakers were just mind blowing. The chest pounding beat while the hurricane was building up. This scene is one of the most exciting and dramatic scenes in the whole play.
Rating: 5/5
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