Shrine

Given Western Australia's long stretches of dangerous country roads, it is highly likely that we have more than our fair share of roadside shrines, memorialising victims of car accidents.

Written by Tim Winton, Shrine tells of a couple struggling to recover from the loss of their son and a girl who knows a great deal about his final hours.

Sensitively told, Black Swan's production is set on a texturally explicit set that combines a car wreck, a road surface, dominating karri trees and waves to create a various spaces. Trent Suidgeest's set and lighting is at times beautiful, at times disturbing and is quietly thought-provoking without being a distraction. We are always aware of the ugly, arguably inappropriate yet poignant shrine of the title.

The performances are heart wrenchingly moving, especially from Sarah McNeill, who delivers haunting and impassioned memorials to the lost Jack. John Howard plays her husband, who has different coping mechanisms, portraying a man whose stoic exterior conceals great grief.

Jack, who is a dominant presence as his last hours are relived, was played nicely by Paul Ashcroft, a likeable if flawed and real young man, whose loss could be felt. His less admirable mates were well portrayed by Luke McMahon and Will McNeil.

Whitney Richards was magnetically likeable as mysterious country girl June Fenton, who recreates the disturbing, sad and beautiful last hours of Jack's life. Tim Winton has created a lovely character, which she brings sparkingly yet charmingly awkwardly to life - an enigma of a character in that we are never quite sure if what we are hearing is the truth or what June would like to be the truth. A fascinating characterisation, employing outstanding storytelling skills, we were drawn into June's amazing tale.

Shrine is not always the easiest play to watch, as you would expect when it deals with the unnecessary loss of young life, but the story is wonderfully told. The beauty of the design and direction and the brilliant open narrative make Shrine a play worth seeing.

Kimberley Shaw

Images: (top) John Howard and Whitney Richards. Shrine & (lower) Sarah McNeill, Whitney Richards, Paul Ashcroft, Will McNeill, Luke McMahon and John Howard. Gary Marsh Photography