Rachael's passion for drama pays off

Theatre

"I don't want revenge. I want understanding."

These are the words of university student 'Carol', one of two roles created by highly respected scribe David Mamet for his play Oleanna.

In the play, Carol visits her lecturer, John, in his office to discuss her poor class performance. An exchange occurs that may or may not be sexual harassment, and the relationship between the two characters rapidly deteriorates before the audience's eyes.

This tense scenario will be the final production of 2009 for the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild.

Starring real-life university student Rachael Grauwelman-Smith as Carol and renowned Adelaide actor and director Brant Eustice as John, Oleanna begins its run in the University's Little Theatre on Saturday 17 October.

For 19-year-old student Rachael, the role of Carol is a perfect opportunity to continue her passion for acting.

Currently studying degrees in Law and International Studies at the University of Adelaide, as well as a diploma in Chinese, Rachael could be forgiven for not taking on any extra-curricular activities. Instead, she has won the lead role in a David Mamet two-hander, in which every rehearsal involves her, Brant and the director, Theatre Guild Chairman Ben McCann. It is a huge commitment.

"This [acting] is what I do instead of playing a sport," Rachael explained. "If you're passionate about something you make time for it, so I'm really happy to be involved in this play."

Rachael has previously appeared in two Theatre Guild productions - Marat/Sade and a play reading of The Custom of the Country. She said she was looking forward to the way audiences reacted to Oleanna.

"Oleanna is basically a clash of ideologies," she said. "Carol is very black and white in her opinions and is very straight-laced; John is an experienced academic and likes to pontificate.

"Some earlier productions of Oleanna have tended to paint Carol in a negative light, but in this version we're trying to make it as open-ended as possible. The approach we're taking is the opposite of how Carol is normally perceived," she said.

Oleanna is the first play to be directed by Ben McCann since he took on the role of Theatre Guild Chairman. A self-confessed fan of Oleanna, he has seen many different productions and now has the chance to bring his own version to the stage.

"David Mamet is renowned for writing strong male characters, but in Oleanna he has written his great female role," said Ben, who is also a lecturer in French Studies at the University of Adelaide.

"It's a play I've loved since I first read it, but I think a lot of productions have suffered from having too simplistic a reading. I hope our version will have many more nuances. Both characters are deeply flawed and they are fascinating to watch."

He said the Little Theatre would be a perfect venue for the play: "It will be an intimate, personal space that will help the audience to believe that they're eavesdropping on this private conversation."

Story by David Ellis

OLEANNA

Oleanna opens Saturday 17 October and runs from Tuesday to Saturday 20-24 and 27-31 October at 7.30pm.

Tickets are $25 full or $20 concession (student/pensioner/unemployed/MEAA/seniors and Friends of Barr Smith Library). Tuesday performances: $15 for current University of Adelaide students and staff.

Bookings can be made from the Theatre Guild on +61 8 8303 5999 (fee applies for credit card bookings) or groups of 10 can receive concession price. Book also from BASS on 131 246 or online: www.adelaide.edu.au/theatreguild