One of the things I love about Fringe is the random assortment of genres you can find within a single show. Any theatre nerd knows that there is an endless array of contemporary Shakespeare adaptations, and if you’re familiar with them, you might recognise their hallmarks. This dramatic narrative set on a high school netball court is a fresh combination where the cattiness of high school girls is a perfect match for the dramatic antics of Shakespeare.
Lady Macbeth Plays Wing Defence opens with a synth-pop banger, “Pick Your Player,” setting the tone for a polished soundtrack of contemporary musical theatre anthems produced by Project Bexx. (If you want a taste of the sound before you walk into the show, look it up on streaming services.) It gives 90s pop music video vibes with an all-girl cast delivering iconic choreography created by Shannon Rogers. The vocals were not quite as polished as the synth production; however, that could be a case of opening night nerves, and besides, I felt like the unpolished nature was kinda fitting for a bunch of high school characters.
Each of the eight characters is drawn from classic high-school sport girl stereotypes, including the alt chick who is only there because her Mum wants her to go outside more. Anyone who has ever played Netball, or any sport, will find a character they can relate to. Courtney McManus’s performance as Coach Duncan stole the show. Her comedic timing is immaculate as she delivers monologues of a “has been” netball player living out her dreams vicariously through the high school netball team she coaches.
The lighting perfectly captured the dramatic Shakespearian monologues that provided an amusing contrast to the snarky dialogue in scenes among the ensemble. One of my favourite elements in this show was the way the pink lighting reflected off of rippling satin robes in certain scenes.
Each of the nine original compositions for this show articulates the plight of certain characters throughout, giving a structured flow with a distinctive intro, climax, and conclusion. Some Fringe shows can have you wondering when it’s going to be over, in an attempt to be unpredictable. This show uses classic theatre elements to take the viewer on a journey and prevent boredom. There is a reason these theatre tropes exist. This show demonstrates how traditional elements can give creators the freedom to try different things. In this instance, they nailed it.
Lady Macbeth Plays Wing Defence is on at Jester’s Court at FANTASIA at Perth Town Hall from Jan 21-28.