NAME : MORAY ANAK JOHNNYMATRIX NO : 125019UNIT : PPISMP TESL SEMESTER IICOURSE : ENGLISH STUDIES IICODE : PI 1353 P(R)TASK : Theatrical Performance Critique on Ruby Moon Drama

Ruby Moon is an Australian play by Matt Cameron written in 2007. Directed by Christopher Ling and his crew, finally, it appeared live on Kuala Lumpur Performing Art Centre’s stage on the 28th February 2013. The perfect combination of young talented actor, Alex Chua and actress, Davina Goh really give huge impact on first time audience like me. The play portrays the theme of grief over the loss of child. Basically, the play is about a couple, Ray and Sylvie Moon who are mourning their six years old daughter lost, Ruby, who on a very routine visit to a grandmother who lives down the road. Suddenly, she disappeared without leaving any trace.

From my personal point of view, the story work is not very complicated. It is a kind of straight-forward play. The plot of the play is obviously seen by the audience if we can concentrate to the play very well. Overall, this play is quite entertaining but not that really interesting and happening. Maybe, it is because of the genre this play itself. Technically, it is an absurd play which does not have ending and in fact, it requires the audience to think. That is why this play is not suitable for young children and teenagers, but highly recommended to adults who most probably are parents. Furthermore, I do not really like actual script because it is more to Australian. So, why not we adapt into our local culture by showing Malaysian way of living and then do some changes in the script.

Based on what I have seen, the actors play the biggest role in producing such a convincing story. I would proudly give my high respect to Alex Chua and Davina Goh who act as Ray and Sylvie Moon because they are able to express themselves as certain characters which create the sense of awareness among audience. In term of volume and articulation, I think they have no problem with that. Their gesture and body movement also stay true to the character because they have gone a lot of practices. What they do next time is slow down a bit their dialog so that the audience can hear them very well.

As for the design of the play, I have nothing much to comment on the lights and the costumes they are using since the director stated that these things are already mentioned in the script itself. The set is simple yet it establishes a definite mood and correct time period for the play because there are portable and convenient. The sound effect and the music chosen definitely suit the show’s mood. The creepy sound of child’s voice and the siren has created a gloomy setting. It really helps in portraying the play theme.

So far as I can observe, almost all of the audience are attentive towards the performance because they trying to catch on what the actors are saying. Each word

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by word come from the actors have its intrinsic meaning. Therefore, I can simply conclude that the audience is interested with the play. In my opinion, this performance is only just a show but it is a very thoughtful material which content good values that we should learn. It shows how something affects you in real life situation where you forgot to love after facing a tragedy. Though is not that exciting and fun, at least there are lot of lesson we could learn from this play.

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