Gruesome Playground Injuries

Those familiar with The Parrot House (formerly known as Chrissie Parrot Arts Centre) in Maylands, will find that it has been turned back to front for its stint as a Fringe World venue. With a bar, outdoor area and food on the premises the venue feels refreshed and rejuvenated. Likewise, those who saw Gruesome Playground Injuries during its Playlovers' season last year, may be surprised at how different this play looks and feels.

Gruesome Playground Injuriesr etains its strongly Brechtian stylings with the actors in this two-hander changing and making up in full view of the audience between scenes, but the scene changes are now swift and brief, giving the show greater pace and an urgency that it lacked in the original, and we are further drawn into the story of Doug and Kayleen - a story that takes place over 30 years, but which is told in a non linear style. Kristen Twynam-Perkins directorial decisions are stronger in this format, and the more intimate venue gives a greater impact.

Sam Barnett and Kimberley Harris still have outstanding chemistry and their portrayals of Doug and Kayleen at various ages and through a variety of misfortunes are convincing and moving.

This Rajiv Joseph play could almost be described as eight connected mini-plays about the same people, as although there is a definite through-line and over arching story, each scene is separately titled and has its own emotional arc, making it a very challenging and I imagine exhausting piece.

Was thrilled to get another look at Gruesome Playground Injuries, which I feel has matured and developed into an outstanding piece of drama.

Kimberley Shaw