S-27

Feet First Collective’s S-27 is not “a nice little show”. You will not emerge saying “Well, that was fun”. It is however, immersive, powerful and compelling theatre, excellently acted and with an important message.

The play is based on real events. In 1975, the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia and began a four-year period of terror and genocide. Over 14,000 “alleged traitors” were sent to secret prison S-21 which was housed in a former school, and confessions were extracted through torture. As part of the process, captives were photographed before execution.

In the immersive prologue, audience members become imprisoned “traitors” and are processed by “the organisation” before being marched through the Fremantle Arts Centre to the main performance space. The Arts Centre, like the S-21 prison, is a repurposed building, built by convict labour. It was formerly the ‘Fremantle Lunatic Asylum’ and is reportedly one of the most haunted buildings in the Southern Hemisphere. In terms of atmospheric performance spaces, you could not find better.

The audience meet May, played with great depth by Gabriella Munro, whose job it is to photograph prisoners prior to their execution. With the assistance of her colleague June (a strong performance by Trinity Emery Rowe) whom May keeps deliberately under trained, a series of prisoners pass through her room - each making an impact on May and the audience.

All of the cast are very strong, delivering scenes that pack a huge emotional punch. Aodhan Guy’s tortured young man, Samuel Addison’s morally ambiguous policeman, Sally Clune as May’s tragically vulnerable cousin, Matthew Arnold, whose character has faith in the regime despite its ultimate betrayal, Caitlyn Griffiths as a mother who seems shallow, but reveals amazing bravery, and Samuel Ireland’s Col, who ultimately changes all for May - all impactful, meaningful portrayals. All actors, except Gabriella Munro, play a second role as guards in the regime, an interesting doubling that says much about the twists of fate.

S-27 should probably carry a trigger warning for just about everything you can imagine. This is not easy viewing. But if you appreciate powerful theatre, with excellent performances, messages and ideas, this is a must see.

Kimberley Shaw