Bluffstone is Starvin’
Drought has hit and won’t ease and the crops have died and the cattle had to be put down, Mary’s provision’s store has closed and won’t be opening again anytime soon, the shelves bare, and the town of Bluffstone is starvin’ for food and for the fulfilment of love, immigrant Isiah pining for the hand of Dolly, daughter of landowner Clarence, who has little interest in being tied down.
At least, not by someone as timid and needy as Isiah, for when two newcomers ride into town, the young drifters Noah and Durlin, the girl who likes to dance finds her head in a spin, swept off her feet and a seeing a chance to leave town even as Durlin begins to consider settling down at last, while Noah realises the partnership defined by the road may be about to hit a rut it can’t escape from, forced into facing the truth of their unbalanced friendship.
Boasting a seven strong cast plus inflatable horse including the three musicians who sit in the darkened corner of the saloon, Zach who doubles as barman Jim on plaintive twangy guitar with Rohan on keyboards and jazzy sax from Woody, Bluffstone is Starvin’ is written and directed by Esme who also plays Dolly, a beautiful free spirit with sufficient suitors to bring trouble to the small town already cursed by bad luck and choking on dust.
The String Cheese Theatre ensemble completed by Dev, Cameron, George and Alex as the surprisingly kind Clarence, the possessive Isaiah, charming Durlin and Noah, cautioning others not to do anything stupid even as he does something stupendously stupid himself, Bluffstone is Starvin’ is a simple tale of desperate and hungry men who unfortunately have access to guns, a bit shaky in an opening performance but likely to find its pace once the stirrups are found.
Bluffstone is Starvin’ runs at theSpace on the Mile until Wednesday 13th August
