Theatrius
  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us
  • Search Icon

Theatrius

Theater Reviews—San Francisco and Beyond

“Dapto Chaser” Aims Sharp Wit at Gambling & Dog Racing—Streaming Aussies

“Dapto Chaser” Aims Sharp Wit at Gambling & Dog Racing—Streaming Aussies

June 14, 2020 Patricia L. Morin

Mary Rachel Brown Portrays Family Captured by Addiction

by Patricia L. Morin

At the intimate Griffin Theatre, Mary Rachel Brown explores the overlooked, slimy world of greyhound racing and gambling in poverty-stricken Dapto, in New South Wales, Australia. Designer Georgia Hopkins invites us into the Sinclairs’ rundown living room, furnished with stained recliner, dog cage, tread mill, and beer cans. Toby Knyvett’s lighting highlights their skeletal, messy home.

Cantankerous Errol Sinclair (powerful Danny Adcock) draws us into the dog-betting world as he listens to race results on his staticky transistor radio. Errol reminds me of my loving addictive, alcoholic Uncle Harry who would gamble on anything! On beer-induced hope, he would drive recklessly to the nearest neon-lit casino.

Danny Adcock (Errol Sinclair). Photos by Robert Catto

Director Glynn Nicholas presents Errol ordering his warm-hearted son Jimmy (versatile Jamie Oxenbould) to place a bet, while he is breathing through an oxygen tank—a cigarette dangling from his lips. The conversation between them dissolves into a litany of disasters that Errol’s years of gambling have inflicted on the family. He couldn’t even buy his wife a wig during her cancer treatments.

Errol also attacks Jimmy for working for their nemesis, the conniving racing boss, Arnold Denny (quick talking Noel Hodda).  As Errol grabs another beer, we realize that these folks are sunk in misery inherited for generations—gambling, drinking, and betting on a dog for hope. No different today for some, like my Uncle Harry, who also bet on the horses, bought dozens of scratch-off lotto tickets, and could never pick up the right players in fantasy baseball.

Jamie Oxenbould (Jimmy) & Danny Adcock (Errol)

Errol dies unexpectedly, and the play focuses on brothers Jimmy and Cess who battle over Dad’s funeral, revealing their long-standing opposition. Ever hopeful, like Errol, Cess (cunning Richard Sydenham) wants a full-on Catholic burial; but practical Jimmy wants Dad “cooked.”

Cess, stuck in the dog-racing world, is a talented dog trainer, and has a winner in his dog Boy Named Sue, with the animal beautifully mimed by the actors. We can hear the panting, the dog licking his face, and watch them petting the imaginary dog’s head.

Sound designer Daryl Wallis creates diverse sounds: the metal rabbit lure that tempts the hounds, the cheering crowd, the fast-talking race announcer. The sounds evoke the thrill of the race that drives the manic betting.

Jamie Oxenbould (Jimmy) & Danny Adcock (Errol)

Although “The Dapto Chaser” uncovers the anger and resentment that poverty brings, Brown slips in humor and wit, throughout.  Cess says to Jimmy: “My heart is running around on four legs.  What animal would you be?”  Eager to escape Dapto, Jimmy replies, “A turtle … I like the shell option.”

More conflict arises when unscrupulous Denny wants to buy Boy Named Sue for a mound of cash. Cess says, “Money is a living breathing thing. It’s got teeth—a greyhound dog with a pound of meat.”

We wonder if Cess’ love for his dog, and the thrill of the big race, will beat out the cash, as he sits in the recliner and flips open a can of beer.

“The Dapto Chaser” explores the raw experience of addictions that bring heartbreak. In this play, we feel a family’s struggle to care for a member held captive by gambling and drugs. A must see.

 

“The Dapto Chaser” by Mary Rachel Brown, directed by Glynn Nicholas—Streamed by Griffin Theatre, Sydney, Australian Theatre Live, through July 29, 2020. Info: GriffinTheatre.AU

Cast: Danny Adcock, Noel Hodda, Jamie Oxenbould, and Richard Sydenham.

Banner photo: Richard Sydenham (Cess)


on-line, Plays
Capitalism, Civil Rights, comedy, exploitation, Family, Identity, patriarchy, poverty, Satire, social class, wit, workers

Post navigation

NEXT
>> Streaming Theater >> Plays at Home: June 18
PREVIOUS
>> Streaming Theater >> Plays at Home: June 10
Comments are closed.

Menu

  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us

BLM

Black Lives Matter

Subscribe for upcoming reviews!
Loading

Current Shows

  • “Dragon Lady” Triumphs with Talent, Stories, Songs—at Marin
  • “East 14th: True Tales of a Reluctant Player”—at The Marsh, Berkeley
  • “Guys and Dolls” Shows Love Is a Gamble, Takes the Risk—at S.F. Playhouse
  • “Harry Clarke”: A Cocksure Character Invades Privileged Places—at Berkeley Rep
  • “Group Therapy”: Hilarious Gay Club for Almost-40s—at Rhino
  • “1984” Reveals Torture Room We Inhabit Now–at Aurora
  • Interview with “Mame” on 42nd Street Moon Show
  • “Citizen” Unfolds Worker’s Awakening to U.S. Cruelty—at Word4Word
  • “The Legend of Georgia McBride”: Sass & Sentiment—at Center REP
  • “Hedwig & The Angry Inch” Highlights Betrayal, Redemption—at Shotgun
  • “Mame” Showcases Musical Memories, Found Families—at 42nd St. Moon  
  • “we are continuous”: Brilliant, Heroic, Comic Coming Out—at NCTC
  • “Bulrusher” Conjures Bold, Biblical, Boonville Magic—at Berkeley Rep
  • “The Allure of Thug Life” Exposes Oakland’s Opposed Worlds—at The Marsh
  • “Tales Behind the Basement Door” Keep Us on Our Toes—at Lunatico

About us:

If you want to see the best plays & performances around the San Francisco Bay or beyond, read our reviews. We promise to give you a true report on the best shows.
Bay Area Critics Circle

Barry David Horwitz, Editor of Theatrius, is a Voting Member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics' Circle, SFBATCC. Follow us on: facebook.com

© 2023   All Rights Reserved.