This piece is macabre and is likely not for the faint-hearted, with graphic and gory moments
In half-light a gunshot rings out. As the lights rise we find a Mother (Mariah Gale) and her two daughters, Ida (Elizabeth Dulau) and Ada (Alexandra Jensen), who have just murdered their abusive husband and father. This one-act play delves into the three days following the murder, exploring how the women choose to dispose of the body and the aftermath of the man’s death.
As the subject matter suggests, the piece is macabre and is likely not for the faint-hearted. There are some graphic, gory descriptions. However, within the absurdity and grotesqueness of the situation quite a lot of dark comedy is found. Gale is particularly adept at getting a guffaw out of the audience with her dry delivery.
Jasmine Swan’s set is beautifully evocative of the harsh landscapes of rural Australia, where the piece is set. The stellar cast truly showcases their skill, bringing to life heightened, poetic language and unexpected phraseology that could easily feel alienating in lesser hands. The actors seamlessly switch between narrating, inhabiting their own characters, and playing all other characters who visit the family home to uncover what has happened. These visitors are passed between the actors line-to-line and are distinguishable only through cleverly defined physical and vocal choices that each actor takes on.
The movement work by Iskandar R Sharazuddin helps to feed the narrative, and does a lot to help the ‘show not tell’ aspects of the piece that are sometimes neglected in plays where the action is fully narrated. The soundscape by Asaf Zohar ties the sections and scenes together and heightens the movement sequences.
While Gale, Dulau, and Jensen deserve immense praise for bringing the text to life and driving this performance, commendation must go to the entire creative team for their cohesive effort. This production is a prime example of how all elements can come together to truly elevate a piece of theatre.