Brisbane review- Gunsmoke: Entertains in Live Radio

By Lilian Harrington

Production: Gunsmoke

Director/ Writers: Norman McDonnell and John Meston

Company: New Farm Nash Theatre

Location: The Brunswick Room, Merthyr Rd Uniting Church.

                  52 Merthyr Road New Farm.

Season:   28 Feb. - 22 March 7 30 pm

Bookings:

With a crack and a bang from the Foley Techs and an announcement from the Radio L& M Announcer, the audience hushed, and Gunsmoke opened its season at New Farm Nash Theatre. The Radio Lux Show has become a popular part of the yearly programme. This year, they have chosen to present a trilogy, which is three major episodes of Gunsmoke from the popular American drama series, directed for Nash by Eddie Bruce.

This award winning radio script written in short episodes commenced broadcasting as a radio play in 1952 and ran for over twenty years.  Written by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston, the stories take part in or near Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American  West. This series became very popular and was one of the longest running series ever played on radio. It later became a popular T.V. series.

This trilogy from Gunsmoke called for some keen attention, as it was divided into two acts; Nash Theatre selected three key episodes; in Act 1: Start of a Legend and in the Second Episode, Part 1: Bloody Hands. In Act 2: Part 2 of Bloody Hands and Episode 3 Chester’s Dilemma. The programme was well planned out and entertaining, and the cast gave some clever characterisations and interpretation of each episode.

A feature of the radio show was the Foley Techs. They entertained the audience with creative sound effects manufactured from everyday objects; from squeaking doors to flying fish. Their comedic endeavours showed some exuberance on occasion and tended to hold the focus.

There was a large cast of nine enthusiastic community actors. Some of them were new to the stage. As a team the cast worked well together. Most of them needed to play multiple roles. Two  stand out artists were: Julia Cox (Mrs Bonney and Kitty) and Sam Herde, (Francine /L&M Ad. and Edna). Both actors held the audience’s attention with their very convincing performances. The main role of Marshall Matt Dillon was played by Stuart Loudon, better known on the Brisbane Poetry Slam Scene. He was supported by his sidekick Chester (Tyson Hagreaves), who has returned from Trinity College, London, as well as David Hill (Doc/Announcer). At times, the scene lacked lustre and energy which resulted in a short loss of pace in this performance.

The cast were costumed in the style of the times, in black and white outfits; the women wore a white blouse and black skirt and the men wore a white shirt, with a black bowtie and black trousers and polished black shoes! This gave the whole cast a uniformed look and helped hold the visual interest. Some of the cast presented well in their pressed trousers. For those in the audience  looking up towards the radio actors assembled at the microphones, the well pressed and uniformed style of costume made a good visual impression.

Radio voices are so important because their sound and the Foley Effects are what the audience hears. It provides the key to the action. Most of the cast managed the American accent, which made both the scene and location become quite believable.  Nash Theatre has started the year with Radio Theatre, a fun choice of programme; the ever popular series Gunsmoke on live radio, allows actors and technicians to practise some interesting vocal and technical skills peculiar to a radio play and great entertainment for all!