INFLUENCE University of Adelaide Theatre Guild The Little Theatre Until 22 May 2010 Review by Jamie Wright Ziggy Blasko makes his (substantial) living as a Sydney ‘shock jock’ targeting the usual easy right-wingsubjects of Muslims, feminists and young people. His off-air life, however, is far from perfect: his self-absorbed wife Carmela is attempting to re-enter the world of professional ballet, his spoiled daughterVivienne is skipping school, his left-wing sister Connie is constantly criticising his views and his elderlyimmigrant father Marko is struggling with old age and the demons of his past. Director Brant Eustice has done an excellent job of interpreting the heavy-with-social-commentary DavidWilliamson script and has the cast moving well around the small space and keeping the action runningat cracking pace. The dialogue in particular is timed perfectly in every scene. Michael Eustice does a good job as Ziggy, emanating a believable odious smugness and a hypocriticalsense of privilege. Emily Branford was spot-on as the wholly repellent wannabe ballerina Carmela, withevery movement and syllable channelling self-absorption and a complete absence of empathy. Alicia Case is excellent as Zehra, particularly with the accent, but comes across as somewhat young forthe role and, which slightly undermined the weight of her dramatic moments. Due to illness, BrantEustice was required to take the role of the father, Marko, with script in hand – and did very well. Cate Rogers, as Connie, is also good as the frustrated small-l liberal sister – though also seemedyounger than the script implied the character would be. Kate Vanderhorst mostly does well as Viviennebut sometimes, in her ‘manic’ scenes, gets too high-pitched to be clearly understood. Tony Sampsonadds a voice of reason as Tony the driver. Karen Burn’s lighting and Alex Ramsay’s sound are both well-timed and appropriate for this kind ofshow. Alia Guidace’s design was simple but effective. A good production of a funny, thought-provoking, socially relevant and contemporary Australian play.Fingers crossed the unwell cast member can recover and take his place for the rest of the run.