The Savages of Wirramai

The Savages of Wirramai
By Sandy Fairthorne. Geelong Repertory Theatre. Director: Iris Walshe-Howling. Set Designer: Melinda Chapman. Woodbin Theatre. April 28 - May 13, 2017

Geelong Repertory Theatre’s The Savages of Wirramai confronts its audience about sexual abuse.

While Rob Savage (Philip Besancon), the father of the Savage family, is proud of his courage and dutifulness in fighting in the Vietnam War, he fails in his duty to protect his daughter Cassie (Stacey Carmichael) from sexual abuse.

 

This production needs a trigger warning. I’ve experienced sexual abuse – as have others in the audience.

A predator strips a victim's power from them. A predator robs them of their freedom to choose. A predator makes them experience things no one should.

Imagine then what it’s like to be a survivor... watching the consequences of sexual abuse play out on stage for one hour and 45 minutes without a break... robbed of any way to escape.

Your only way out is to draw attention to yourself as you push past the people in your aisle and then walk onto the stage to the exit.

The program warned about ‘strong language and adult themes,’ but nothing hinted at the content. For a topic like this, at best, it’s irresponsible theatre, and, at worst, it’s a form of abuse.

From a technical point of view, however, it was a solid production. Stacey Carmichael stood out with her sensitive performance as Cassie.

Savagesis worth seeing — most of all for Fairthorne’s catty script — but be prepared for the confronting subject matter. And, if needed, make sure you have support.

Daniel G. Taylor

Photographer: Sandy Gray

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