The powerful, energy packed, 55-minute performances run each evening at 7.00 pm until Sunday, 31^st January, in the elegant and palatial Laneway Lounge which reflects the atmosphere of New Orleans and Paris in the 30s. It is situated at 414A Murray Street in a laneway near Fast Eddys. It has a wonderful little 60-seat theatre.

As we wait for the show to begin, the live, melodious and haunting music from Michael Biagioni was remarkable. It was a complex blend of instruments and his soft vocals.

       On entering the theatre, there were bodies lying in the aisle, on the open floor space in front of the stage, on the stage and under a trolley. These people were dressed in white body stockings and white shifts.

      Dressed in her blue, hospital orderly uniform, Halina (Amanda Watson) enters the hospital laundry and starts her work. She loads (in mime) several machines, before suffering the worst traumatic, domestic experience that anyone can imagine. Some ex-patients come to her rescue, and after beginning with basic first aid, one lady (Ann-Marie Biagioni) decides to employ advanced methods of medicine that she has observed in the hospital. The treatment is supervised by another misfit (Hannah Evelyn).

       A couple of patients (Sinead O’Hara, Courtney Turner) think it is a good idea to cheer up Halina with animal impersonations, but in doing so, they don’t notice that one of their own vivacious friends (Kat Shaw) is now suffering.

My first camera was a Halina – named after the Greek for ‘light’. Here, the main character is the guiding light and example.

In this play, some loveable misfits demonstrate how, as youngsters, we are resilient and can face any challenge. As we get older this self-assurance dissipates and we have more trouble coping with even simple changes in our routine.  We watched as the actors edgily explored the dark, numerous angles on their rollercoaster ride of emotions, security and suffering. Just as we think there is stability, the quick sand sucks us back in.

The amount of energy engaged in this play was jaw dropping. There was little dialogue, the whole story clearly demonstrated by the highly skilled cast, displaying moods, emotions, advance mime and symbolism. This is a thought provoking show that makes you consider even your own life.

A huge amount of talent in this very different show; it was completely fresh and exciting.

This MOXY collective production is part of the Fringe World and the 50-minute performances start each evening at 9.30 pm at the PICA Performance Space, Perth Cultural Centre, 51 James Street, Northbridge and run until 22^nd February.

The set, designed by Fiona Bruce, is a wave of carpet underfelt rising from the front of stage and up the rear wall. There is a chair and a microphone. A blue-light fly killer flickers and crackles above.

        As a child, Mouse would listen to and admire his father playing blues in their fibro garage. Now Mouse is married to Isabel, a woman that he tolerates, and they have a couple of kids. Isabel seems to need her car serviced at Mark’s workshop more often than usual.

      One morning Mouse awakes to find writing scratched onto his chest. Through the blood he sees an address, ’54 George Street’. Bored with his life, Mouse decides to seek out the address and discover what the message really means.

     It is here that he meets the ‘polite gentleman’ – the Devil in disguise?

Mark Storen starts his performance by walking up to the microphone and giving his renowned cheeky grin. He strums his guitar and starts his superbly constructed tale. His laidback style of delivery, directed by Adam Mitchell, flows seamlessly from one situation to another. The language is a little ripe, but it is a blues show.

Andrew Weir’s musical soundtrack is in 1920’s style, with tracks from fabulous Southern blues singers like Robert Johnson. Storen slinks and grooves his way around the stage with an incredible style of dancing.

His storyline is wild, strange, off the planet, but delivered with such conviction and fascinating detail that you are drawn into the whole yarn, and believe every moment.

With all of the awards I expected a special show, and certainly this was the case. This overflowing show covered humour, live singing, jokes, horror and an effervescent presenter. Superb.