A hard hitting emotional piece about Homelessness
Unknown from Dougie Blaxland is an intimate and challenging look at homelessness which hits home hard. Pieced together verbatim from interviews with homeless people, the journey follows protagonist Ricky and just how much bureaucracy he faces to survive.
With lots of collaboration with Big Issue, the central story seems all too familiar to those who have experienced homelessness but the writing also uses repetition of Unknown deaths to punctuate its message without it seeming forced. The script cleverly navigates multiple characters and identities creating a fully formed world and community.
Directed by Moira Hunt, the piece utilises clever staging and prop use which fills the space and pulls the audience into the story. One of the most impressive tools used is the ever increasing pile of files, each time a door shuts/Ricky comes up against access problems, a new file is slammed down creating a fortress blocking support.
Ricky, played by Scott Bayliss, is a victim of circumstance, constantly disappointed and let down by society and those around him. Scott plays the role with sensitivity and truth, the audience regularly finding themselves weeping at the sheer injustice. Scott is supported by Dan Gaisford and Sabrina Laurison who multirole around him with an impressive line-up of accents. Dan, in particular, switches with impressive control and style and really elevates the piece, his smarmy office roles triggering a deep seated rage at society.
Where the piece sometimes lacks impact are the scenes with Ricky’s sister – often feeling less connected and emotionless which overall interrupts the flow of the audience journey. Additionally the multiple prop use is clever however could be elevated with smarter ways to disguise and adapt – some items just discarded loosely at the side of the stage seems careless.
Overall the show is hard hitting, well constructed and important with any audience sure to leave impacted by its themes and story. The play is in its third iteration after starting out as a radio play during Covid and currently on a 4 week tour and is a recommended watch for those looking for a challenging drama.