The Fiery Maze, Beckett Theatre at the Malthouse Theatre, Wednesday August 31st 2016

The Fiery Maze, Beckett Theatre at the Malthouse Theatre,  Wednesday August 31st 2016

"The Fiery Maze" written by Tim Finn and Dorothy Porter played at the Becket Theatre at the Malthouse Theatre on  Wednesday August 31st 2016

For those new to my blog I write about the holistic experience of attending the theatre. I buy my own tickets. So if you want a re-telling of the story please refer to the links for further information or for further insights.  Note, that I may provide different links for repeated main words or phrases.  I write for my memories of what I have seen, and is more of a stream of consciousness.

"The Fiery Maze" has music by Tim Finn and adapted the works of  Dorothy Porter.  These songs are performed by Abi Tucker as lead vocalist, with Tim Finn and Brett Adams supplying back up vocals and instrumentation.

"The Fiery Maze" is more of a cabaret show that would be welcome in a pub but requires concentration to enjoy the rich texture of the music , lyrics and performances.    The range of music was refreshing as I had read another review and dreaded what I was to see.  I wanted to keep a fresh perspective and loved the range of styles offered.   To enhance the musical experience a larger backing group would allow for more instruments and orchestrations.

Abi Tucker was sublime.  She channelled Janis Joplin and other singers including Piaf  and Blondie spring to mind.  It would have been refreshing to see her perform some of the songs as torch songs or seated.  I was most impressed with her vocal gymnastics and her ability to cross styles of music.  It was terrific to see a singer not scooping her notes.  I think the director,  Anne-Louise Sarks only touched on what Abi Tucker could reveal as a performer.

Design by Nick Schlieper was a simple round rostrum with lights to enclose the space giving various effects of being en-caged or lionised.  His designs capture the moods of each song.

The fifty minutes went quite fast with the rich tapestry of some 16 songs.  My first reaction was to create dialogue to encase the work.  I am glad that it was just the music and the poetry though I would have liked the lyrics in the programme.

Tim Finn is a dynamic recording artist and a composer of note.  His "Ladies in Black" is a tour de force while "The Fiery Maze" is worth a viewing.

Overall "The Fiery Maze" received a 7/10.