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Clip description
Lewis (Ben Mendelsohn) struggles to get started after selecting his six actors. Roy (Barry Otto), his most enthusiastic recruit, takes over and demands that they perform Mozart’s opera, Così Fan Tutte, rather than a variety review. Roy explains the plot, as firebug Doug (David Wenham) jeers at the concept. Cherry (Jacki Weaver) thinks it sounds sexist. Ruth (Pamela Rabe) focuses on the minutiae, Henry (Paul Chubb) tries to slink away, and drug addict Julie (Toni Collette) watches in amused silence. Musician Zac (Colin Hay) sits on the stage in a medicated stupor.
Curator’s notes
A good introduction to the characters, and especially to Barry Otto’s manic Roy, a memorable array of foibles in a hyperactive package. It could be argued that the performances are still pitched more for a theatre than a camera, but it suits the theatrical setting that they are bigger than normal. In this context, ‘normal’ is not a very useful word.
