by Bonnie Collings
Warragul Youth Theatre's production of "Hammered - A Thor and Loki Play" was a humorous and insightful adaptation of the classic Marvel characters.
With strong physical comedy, fantastic costuming, a versatile set and deep exploration of character and emotion, "Hammered" provided the opportunity for some of Gippsland's young performers to shine on stage.
Set against the backdrop of the mystical realm of Asgard, the dynamic play explored the complexities of sibling rivalry, redemption, and the true meaning of heroism.
The play captured the essence of teenage life, with an ancient Norse twist. Despite being gods and princes, "Thor" and "Loki" were still teenage boys, stressing about exams, obsessing over cars, struggling with romance, dobbing on each other to their mum and bickering in a way only siblings can.
Kaelan Lowe (Thor) and Angus Parker (Loki) embodied the true nature of brotherhood, making the audience feel like they really were siblings.
The play began with performance by "The Herald" that had the audience laughing from the moment they took the stage.
In a humourous take on a Shakespearean prologue, "The Herald" set the scene for the audience, explaining the different realms within the show and the lore surrounding the show's heroes, "Thor" and "Loki".
I thought it was a clever choice to include the theatre housekeeping rules, acknowledgement of country and information about cast meet and greets within the opening prologue.
"The Herald" continued to serve as a guide throughout the show breaking the fourth wall just enough to build an important connection with the audience without detracting from the performance. They kept the audience laughing with strong background performances and physical comedy.
Once the scene was set, the cast dispersed and the audience were transported to the Earth realm where a young school student sat on a bench, engrossed in a comic book.
Caught up in the story, the "Comic Book Geek" didn't notice as the "Jock" approached him. Despite their stereotypical differences, the pair formed a connection thanks to the comic.
The young performers portraying the "Geek", "Jock" and "Yearbook Editor" - who appears at the end of the show as the next comic book reader - did a fantastic job portraying their characters. I was impressed by their ability to confidently deliver their lines and connect with the audience.
Once the "Geek" left he and the "Jock" began to read the comic he'd left behind, the audience were transported into the comic itself and the land of Asgard.
The play then focused on the memories of "Thor Odinson" who is now king of the gods. Sitting with his granddaughters, he reminisced on his teenage years with "Loki", their bond as brothers and their rivalry to be the best in the eyes of their parents.
These scenes were packed with strong physical comedy as well as moments of reflection as the brothers' relationship was explored.
Kaelan Lowe embodied "Thor's" heroism and status as the eldest prince but also explored the anxiety that comes with the title.
Angus Parker captured "Loki's" nature as a prankster while also conveying the angst of a younger brother who just wants to live up to expectations.
Edwin Pappin who played "Odin" did a fantastic job taking on the challenge of being two characters at once. While portraying the king of the gods for majority of the show, he had to showcase a more mischievous side when acting as "Loki" pretending to be "Odin".
The set for "Hammered" was simple and effective. With small additions like a tapestry or a bench, it could be transformed into a number of locations. The arches and brick patterns gave the set a distinct Norse feel, tying in perfectly with the world of the show.
The lighting design for scenes in the Cosmic Void with "Thor Odinson" was clever. Using a spotlight and swirling patterns, it was clear to the audience where the scene was taking place, and added to the concept of the void being in the far away future.
Lighting was used throughout the show to create contrast between "Thor" and "Loki". A red theme reflected "Thor", showing up in scenes were he felt powerful, whereas green was used when "Loki" took charge. With the addition of a clever vocal effect, the play was able to capture "Loki's" mischievous nature.
The costuming and props for "Hammered" captured the world of the show perfectly. From the overall outfits like capes, gowns and robes, to the smaller details like fur, golden cuffs and wearable props like "Cul's" mechanical hand, the world of Asgard was easily recognisable. Even the program was laid out like a comic book!
Overall, Warragul Youth Theatre's performance of "Hammered" was a fantastic exploration of a classic Marvel tale. Having had major input into how the show was created, it was clear through their performance how much "Hammered" meant to the cast.