Melbourne Theatre Company's Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll

Isabelle Armstrong

In the delicate artistry of theatre, directors must ensure they understand the pivotal role dramatic techniques play in shaping the authenticity and resonance of a realistic performance. Actors bear the weight of encapsulating their roles with finesse, relying on a blend of techniques — from Stanislavski's system; fundamental questions, method of physical actions and objectives - to the subtle navigation of dramatic elements; dramatic tension, roles and relationships, voice, and movements. In the Melbourne Theatre Company's rendition of "Summer of the Seventeenth Doll," they attempt to portray a realistic version of the play, excelling in some areas and falling short in others. Fenella Maguire's portrayal of Bubba Ryan stands

However, as we delve into the play and the landscape of character representation, not all performances attain the same level of mastery. June Jago's portrayal of Olive Leech, unfortunately, falls short of these expectations, revealing a disconnect that impedes the profound connection between actor and character. Furthermore, a closer examination of the use of costuming and casting choices for Pearl and Barney further unravels the intricate layers that contribute to realistic theatre, shedding light on how poor utilisation of these elements can detract from the overall impact of character representation. We will discuss the positives and negatives of the Melbourne Theatre Company’s rendition, shedding light onto why this is not an accurate representation of a realistic version of “Summer of

Her adept use of movement and voice techniques to highlight whom she was closest to, and how these relationships developed over the course of the summer. In order for an actor to have a memorable, realistic performance, they must embody Stanislavski’s system – fundamental questions, the method of physical actions and objectives and utilise the dramatic elements. In the case of Fenella Maguire, in the Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of “Summer of the Seventeenth Doll”, she utilised these techniques effectively. Thus, leading to a memorable and iconic performance. The given circumstances of the “Summer of the Seventeenth Doll” emphasise the role of women in the 1950s. During this period, women were typically viewed as homemakers, unemployed, and responsible for the children. The character of Olive Leech defies these gender norms. She is a 37-year-old barmaid, who is unmarried and childless. This presentation offers an intriguing concept that could have been executed with great success. However, June Jago's performance is deemed