Mother Courage

Although open to debate, it’s a fair assumption that most teenagers, and many adults, are not comfortable or familiar with Brecht. However, this young cast are far from deterred by the play’s modernist techniques. While many youngsters are mastering the subtleties of underhand, open air drinking, this lot have clearly been practicing their regional accents which function as a method of determining characters in the constantly shuffling cast.

A cockney Mother Courage and an Irish priest are imitated passably and sometimes expertly by most of the actors, but an Australian cook proves more challenging. The abundant swearing that marks Tony Kushner’s translation proves evermore jarring coming from such young, fresh-faced actors. However, there’s a backhanded compliment to be made in that the company perhaps fails in Brechtian terms as the climax of the play and Kattrin’s demise packs some emotional clout.

Unfortunately there are sections that are slightly muddled and difficult to follow, some of the cast suffer from being too quiet, and over-zealous sound effects occasionally interfere with the dialogue. There are some efforts at vocal stylings that do not always come off. Lite rapping and the intonations of Kelly Clarkson add little to the interpretation.

Nevertheless, these oversights do not obscure the fact that there is great deal of talent showcased in Mother Courage. Many of the performers demonstrate genuine comic flair and the majority of the delivery is polished. A school production that won’t just impress parents.