TimeOut Play enthralls audiences

Outstanding performances by actors in Rondo Theatre’s Four Days in Dallas

l EDGE HILL

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

DIRECTED by John Hughes and Matt O’Connor, Four Days in Dallas at the Rondo explores one of history’s biggest mysteries – JFK’s assassination – and it will have you crafting your own theories.

With outstanding performances, a touch of truth, and a touch of fiction, Four Days in Dallas is an engaging mystery that will question everything you think you know about that historic November 22 and its alleged protagonists.

The play describes events over four days, before, during and after the assassination of the US youngest president John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, cleverly narrated in a non-linear structure.

Act 1, a one-take scene, takes us through the interrogation of suspected assassin Lee Harvey Oswald at police headquarters and first addresses the possibility of his innocence and involvement with something darker through fact and fiction.

Matt O’Connor, who directed and played Lee Harvey Oswald, offers a magnificent and compelling interpretation of the character, fleshing Oswald out and making him human and, at times, relatable.

The interaction of Oswald with the FBI agents, played by Mark Chivers and Mara Turner, creates an incredibly tense atmosphere that will have audiences at the edge of their seats and make them crave an answer that feels so close yet so far.

Act 2 takes us to the infamous Carousel Club, owned by the man who would go on to kill Oswald, Jack Ruby. This act takes us through the three days leading up to the murder of JFK, including the day of the assassination and takes us back to where we started in Act 1, the day Oswald is interrogated and murdered.

A Rondo favourite, James Mousa, brings that gangster and Chicago feel to Jack Ruby and will make audiences ask themselves, what if Jack Ruby wasn’t this heroic figure who killed the president’s killer but someone covering his tracks and something way more sinister?

His chemistry with the club girls Jada (Sarah Moore) and Karen (Rebecca Martin) adds little nuances, raises more questions and sometimes brings a little bit of comedy to break the tension.

The addition of gangster Joe, played by Adrian Norman, was superb, creating this character that hides in the shadows but might just be the key to resolving the mystery.

Overall, Four Days in Dallas makes for an edge-of-your-seat entertaining drama that will have you go home to research conspiracy theories regarding one of the biggest mysteries in modern history. If you’re into history, drama, and thriller noirs, then this play is for you.

Four Days in Dallas will be playing at the Rondo from today until May 6. To buy tickets, visit www.therondo.com.au

Diva hits the high notes

l CAIRNS CBD

AFTER performing her first show last night due to popular demand, Kaweyova is back at the Reef Hotel Casino tonight and tomorrow night.

Kaweyova (Sam Cee, below) said the next two shows promised to be as ‘divalushous’.

“I will be channelling my inner diva for the new live show – a two-hour sight and sound extravaganza paying homage to some of the biggest hits performed by some of the biggest divas in history,” she said.

“I will be taking you on a musical journey, throughout the eras, from Whitney to Etta James, Tina to Joss Stone, Beyoncé, Chaka Khan to Shania and heaps more.

“Even adding the massive hits, respectfully, from possibly the biggest divas ever – Prince and Michael Jackson.

“Everyone knows this music, it’s so powerful and joyous and I am exciting to perform these amazing songs to Cairns live.

“The show, not only sounds amazing, but is visually spectacular.”

Kaweyova has been performing in Cairns for the past 10 years, pretty much everywhere, in many varied different configurations, from her heartfelt originals to chilled tropical vibes to party cover bands.

Kaweyova is live at the casino today and tomorrow, free, from 8pm at BAR36.