Radiance

Louis Nowra’s great Australian play, first staged at the Belvoir in 1982, here gets a fiercely acted revival starring and directed by Leah Purcell. You’d think that would be a tough gig for Purcell: it’s a three-hander, after all. But this is fine work, beautifully set and lit, and a tribute to the depth and intensity of Nowra’s writing.

The setting (by Dale Ferguson) is particularly good. The wide living room of an old North Queensland shack/house looking out to sea has many shuttered windows, through which tropical lightning flashes as the operatic intensity tightens. There’s no interval, and the second-half transformation to open mudflats is instantaneous and convincing.

It’s an Aussie Three Sisters, though the half-sisters here have only an untrustworthy, “derelict” mother to share: clearly, many men have been on the scene from time to time. Purcell is excellent as oldest offspring Cressy, a successful opera star returning from London for the funeral. At first talking posh, Purcell’s Aussie accent thickens as the story unfolds.

Less able to rise above their shared background is Mae (Shari Sebbens), who has spent many uncomfortable years looking after their mother, and Nona (the radiant Miranda Tapsell) who lives a sexualised, vagabond existence. Tapsell’s remarkable vibrancy drives the play along. Perhaps, you think, their difficult mother had been something like this.

This uneasy family hide — of course — many secrets and lies, some quite shattering. Nowra ratchets up the tensions until they reach operatic proportion. Brilliantly, his allusions to Madame Butterfly only add to the convincing climax of shame, love and desperation.

If you don’t already know the dark secret at the heart of Radiance then hasten to see this brilliant revival. If you know it already, these performances make your return journey essential.

Frank Hatherley

PREVIEW AND BUY THE SCRIPT HERE.

Images: Leah Purcell, Shari Sebbens and Miranda Tapsell, & Leah Purcell and Miranda Tapsell

Photographer: Brett Boardman