Strange Bedfellows in Harry Potter's Deathly Hallows

Strange Bedfellows: A New Musical has been running rather successfully in Albury for the last few weeks, and I have been part of the fantastic volunteer group of the AWTC- which has enabled me to not only aid the production but give me the opportunity to see this show a few times before it moves on to bigger towns, and see our local talent mixing it up with the talented Melbourne cast- all blend well. For those who might be thinking this will be a review of the show- I'm sorry to have mislead you- a review will come after the 19th, this is to talk about the experience of last night.

After the show the majority of cast and volunteers went down to the Wine Room to celebrate Joseph's birthday (the Head of AWTC). It seemed as if we had all flooded into this bar and well being loud theatre people, the bar quickly became ours. It was nice to see the actors of the show at rest- it is one of those 'humanising' aspects that allows us to view these what some people would call 'stars' as humans. To see John Wood smiling and laughing with a drink in his hand, and to see Peter Cousens leaning back in his chair, with an air of relaxing relief. It reminds me of how I felt after various shows, and at parties...just being able to enjoy where I was at that point in time. To be content.

After a rousing performance of 'Happy Birthday' we enjoyed some cup cakes...crunchie or cherry ripe- which were not only rich, but had actual chunks inside- a splendid- elegant touch to the proceedings. My thoughts were briefly cast back to the homeless man who had been outside of the theatre. Is my enjoyment of this moment a slap in his face? Is the enjoyment of oneself more important then the benefit of others- would he have even accepted my cupcake- he seemed to be spiteful that we were promoting a show that in his own words 'only the rich can see'. Would giving him the cake have made him into what he most hated, rich. Would he have even understood the metaphysical property of this transaction? He was also 'fighting the devil', so I am pretty sure he would have not liked the cake if he was true to his convictions- because to indulge so would have sent his mind off- if we bring into the fold the previous question.

Anyway we headed on down to the theatre before the lock out to see the new Harry Potter. We headed in and lined up, then behind us lined up Peter and Melissa Langton (Vonny). We waited for a few minutes and wondered why the line was not moving. It turns out that there was actually up to three different lines, and I was out of line. I do not know how this had happened, I had not moved. In the middle of this angst, Bec Simmons took a slap, and I spun around into Josh Feldschuh (Hughie) and he fell back to. Bec had successfully taken out one volunteer and one cast member in one slap...she has got some hand.

Eventually we got into the cinema. We all scattered around trying to figure out where we should sit. We had about ten minutes until midnight, with jokes and jaffa's being hurled. It was a great atmosphere. Our inspiring chants of preview, preview, preview were unsuccessful in making the previews start...although I understand. The law states that the cinema could not show the film until just after midnight- and because the film (is it still a roll of film nowadays?) comes complete with the previews attached they are classified as the same thing. One of the cast actually made a good comment that the film itself is like a 2 plus hour preview.

After this we had a few unsuccessful countdowns for the start of the film, probably because all of our clocks and watches had different times- we should have synchronised people! Then the lights went dark, and the film began.

Having not read beyond book 4 in the series, I was new to the whole horcrux thing. I understood that it was the containment of Voldemort's soul, which was split into 7 odd pieces, but I was wondering if that was so, wouldn't each destruction of a horcrux shift him further towards the remaining parts of his soul...was his soul divided into certain sections, or just randomly?

Besides this, HP 7 P1 was starting to head into the area that a lot of us have been waiting for...a more grungy war-like picture. It removed the easy landscape of Hogwarts- and placed us into a world where there is an overwhelming power, and various resistance groups running around. For those who know their history, or dystopian fiction, it is easy to pick up the references to totalitarianism, and oppression. I was reminded of various things such as the rounding up of the half bloods in relation to the rounding up of people of the Jewish faith, or the Reds in McCarthy America. The blatant propaganda of the Soviet and Nazi periods. The rigged court room trials of the Witch Hunts (oddly appropriate reference). The use of codewords and secret phrases we have heard of or seen in spy movies. It easily classifies as the darkest film because it deals with these foundations, as compared to the previous- teen angst and the 'big baddie'- it fleshed out the darkness in the world.

Obviously not having read the book, certain character names slipped by me, and some of their reasoning seemed a little convenient. At the heart of this film are the three leads, sure there is still the supporting cast which do well, but they are less important this time around. Each actor has grown into their role, and the audience was having fun with the exploration of the depth of these characters. It was also nice to see some stretching by the actors into areas that they had not been able to explore before. Rupert Grint is able to dabble in repressed anger and jealously, Daniel Radcliff plays around with multiple characters early on, and Emma Watson is placed into positions where Hermione is not in charge of herself or the situation- fear and worry is seen.

For those that know me, Death has been one of my favourite personifications, and I was glad that he made a dignified and artistically pleasing entry into the series through the tale of the three brothers- the explanation of the Deathly Hallows.

The film is spaced out- which does the film good, allowing for the tension and characters to breath, as compared to the previous film, where it seemed to rush from teen romantic comedy to need to be serious Voldie's back.

For those with children perhaps consider the following; there is blood- and disfigurement, torture scenes, desperation, rage, and what appears to be an odd semi-sex scene between Harry and Hermione. These might cause you some concern because before this they have mostly been absent from the films, and brings it into the adult realm.

To balance this out though there are laughs to be had- mostly from Weasley clan, all who have gotten their characters down well. Also be warned there are lines that shout of sexual innuendo;
'Take it off! Take it off!', 'It's only about 10 inches, not much', and so on.

Following in true Harry Potter style we are introduced to our Deux Ex Machina in the odd embodiment of slightly annoying Dobby. Who clicks his fingers, and whisks people away all to the enjoyment of the characters. I'm once again left wondering why in that 'large bag' (those who have seen it well get that reference) Hermione does not have that time travelling medallion she had in 'Prisoner'.

Downsides well, I did not get to see a whole lot of Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright), and Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch) is underused, also we do not see what has happened to Hogwarts- it obviously has not closed down if characters are still catching the train there- maybe that happens in Part 2.

All in all, it was a great night, great show, great party, then an enjoyable film (thought I was going to say great huh- we will see with the second half, I'm considering it only half the story, so therefore only half of the film). I would definitely recommend seeing either show, but keep in mind Harry will be showing for weeks to come, and Vince and Ralph have to go by the end of the week!

Booking for Strange Bedfellows;
http://www.strangebedfellows.com.au/
or at the Cinema (Strangely were you also go to see Hp 7 P1).

Dale Stam