7 Captiva Road

She lay on her death bed; the Catholic matriarch of the household ruled her brood, and as one generation passes, old secrets are revealed, grievances tackled, and love reunited. 7 CAPTIVA ROAD was written in 2004, an Italian American playwright/screenwriter by Andrea Ciannavei, brought to the Melbourne stage by Bronwen Coleman, Artistic Director of Anthropocene Independent Theatre Company, and directed by Cathy Hunt.

A dysfunctional family come together for their final goodbyes, at the home of their dying grandma. The scene is set, a humble home in the working-class district of Boston, Massachusetts. Francine (Mikhaela Ebony) lives and works in New York City; she carved a life out for herself in a city that would be more accepting of her as a gay woman. Her grandmother disapproved of her sexual preferences, but now that she is only hours away from death, Francine pays homage to the happier times spent with granny, she spends time at her bedside and gives her mother Olivia (Helen Doing) respite.

Francine and Olivia are the main characters, both are playing “dutiful daughters” Their own relationship is tentative. Christopher (Max Garcia Underwood) is a drifter. He bides time with his sister and feels his only connection to granny and family is consummating a long-standing sexual attraction with Maureen (Ani Priyo), the pot smoking nosey neighbour. Olivia is livid and disapproves of her son’s re-connection with her.

Olivia is tired, and anxious about her mother’s pending death. The house belongs to the mother and her two sisters want their share. Gabrielle (Bronwen Coleman), a pill popping depressant, shows up. Her husband Bob (Tim Clarke) has a chequered past and she is not coping. Snobby Barbra (Clare Larman) and her down to earth daughter Joanne (Pia OMeadra) have driven for miles to be part of the vigil.

Enzo (Sebastian Gunner), the father and Olivia’s loving husband is a typical stereotyped Italian immigrant, speaks broken English feels he has worked hard and has paid his dues. Gunner as Enzo gives a heartfelt and lively performance, as does Ebony as Francine and Doing as Olivia. They are the three most engaging characters. After all that is said and done in this tumultuous family drama, the ending offers a kind of solace and hope to Olivia and Enzo - maybe a new beginning, maybe a happy retirement now that grandma is on her way out and as empty nesters they sing and dance, time to reconnect, romance and love again.

7 Captiva Road is a clever story that interweaves many familial characters. The text appears to have been modified and edited for an Australian audience, while characters speak in an American accent. The set design (Isabella Edwards) is clever; partitioned to mimic the central areas of the house, with a pivotal front wire door giving space to the porch, lounge, kitchen, and grandma’s bedside. A special mention to the dying Grandmum (Lyndal Chartens) for her stoic resilience in her death bed during the entire production.

7 Captiva Road is an engaging interpretation of a quirky American kitchen sink dramedy.

Flora Georgiou

Photographer: Parenthesy – Cameron Grant