Sheer Disappointment
Well known Australian author Tim Winton’s Rising Water was a complete disappointment which put many to sleep. The play is set on a harbour in Perth, which consists of three boats each belonging to three different characters who have settled at the harbour escaping their previous lives and unwilling to take the risk of moving on. It is Australia Day and each character is wishing to go on with their lives as normal but when a young English drunken backpacker arrives the past they wish to escape from surfaces and all hell breaks loose.
The main character, Baxter (John Howard) whose boat is situated in the middle is an emotionally damaged person whose good intentions in the past have backfired on him leaving him alienated from the rest of society. He soon finds himself separated from his family and lives out to live on the sea where he can be alone and hide out from the rest of the world. On the left of Baxter is Col (Geoff Kelso) who is an ex accountant Col who was forced to leave after being involved in corrupt workings with others. Col’s witty jokes and outspoken nature bring a sense of humor to the much needed play, and it could be said that he is the only character keeping the play alive! On the right of Baxter is businesswoman and supposedly lesbian Jackie (Alison Whyte) who is attempting to leave her pitfall life behind her. Recovering from alcohol addiction, she lives a private life and doesn’t give too much away about herself but likes to pry in the business of others.
It is when completely wasted English backpacker Dee (Claire Lovering) arrives on the mariner that the past stories of the other three characters are revealed. Her racial comments are in indication of the racism that surrounds the nation of Australia. In saying this however, as the play unfolds we discover the truth behind Dee’s actions and why she acts so brutal and heartless towards others.
Watching the play, I found that after a while the sets and the atmosphere surrounding it was boring and the play was no longer engaging. Staring at three boats, a pier and four characters after 2 hours can tend to make you sleepy. As well as this, there was a pointless young boy who every now and again would row his boat across the sea and at one point in time Dee was awkwardly lying at the back of Baxter’s boat asleep whilst the play continued. More atmosphere from the characters and the sets was needed, which would have made the play one to remember, but unfortunately Winton forgot to leave that part out as he was producing the play.
Despite the negativities of the play, the lighting, sound effects and special effects of the play were done incredibly well and I applaud Winton for this. The part when Dee was underwater was done extremely well and it made the play more engaging.
I would not recommend this play to young children or teenagers as I believe adults can relate to it better and may enjoy it more. In saying this however, the play was a disappointment and could have been so much better with just a few changes. Tim Winton should just stick to writing novels, as this is obviously what he is best suited to.
