The White Divers of Broome

The White Divers of Broome
By Hilary Bell. Black Swan State Theatre Company. Director: Kate Cherry. Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre of WA. Jan 28 - Feb 16, 2012

This World Premiere play by Hilary Bell explores the pearling industry in Broome around 1912, the effect of the White Experiment - a plan to introduce white pearl divers - and the looming introduction of the White Australia Policy and its potential threat to the pearl-shell trade.

Featuring a large cast for a new play, the fourteen performers create an outstanding ensemble with some well drawn performances.

Kylie Farmer (Kaarljilba Kaardn) showed great strength and charm as Daisy, servant to and illegitimate daughter of pearling master Pigott, played with villainous relish by Ian Toyne. Jo Morris nicely portrayed Regina, whose not unbiased journalistic interest propels and ties together the narrative. Our sympathy with her was integral to maintaining our interest in the script.

The British diving trio was well drawn by Stuart Halusz as the broadly brogued Webber, Sean Hawkins as young and heroic Beasily and Tom O'Sullivan as hot-headed Sanders.

Yatuka Izumihara brought great empathy to the role of supplanted Nishi, while former ballet dancer Miyuki Lotz brought both grace and passion to the role of his wife Yukiko. Kenneth Moraleda perhaps had most fun, finding the comic irony playing the crippled Bin Mahomet.

A beautiful looking production that features underwater scenes as well as capturing the colours of multi-cultural Broome, the lighting by Trent Suidgeest brings intense colour to Bruce McKinven's masculine and evocative canvas. Alicia Clements has created beautiful costumes, with stunning contrasts between the white ladies in their Pearl coloured gowns and the bright shades of Yukiko's kimono. The period details appeared accurate and revealing.

While I don't believe that White Divers of Broome will become a classic, it was a story worth telling and an interesting and little known aspect of Australian history.

Kimberley Shaw

Images (Middle): Yutaka Izumihara and Miyuki Lotz & (Lower): Ian Toyne, Kenneth Moraleda, Sean Hawkins, Yutaka Izumihara and Nick Candy.  Photographers: Gary Marsh and Fiona Hoy, Gary Marsh Photography

 

To keep up with the latest news and reviews at Stage Whispers, click here to like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, buy our latest print edition or find a Performing Arts book at Book Nook.