Impact

Impact
Created by Andy Davies. Performed by Nighthawke. Adelaide Fringe. March 6-8, 2014.

A worthy subject matter. A performer with stage presence. Descriptive prose that, in itself, is sure to sicken and galvanise in roughly equal measure. Why, then, does this solo presentation ultimately lack the particular quality that is spelled out in its title?

It is principally because this monologue, of an Australian soldier driven to serve in Afghanistan, is delivered in such a remorselessly consistent and understated tone, combined with the actor fixing himself firmly to the same spot on the stage for the entirety of the show's (relatively brief) duration.

What details we learn about the soldier and his early life tended to alienate this reviewer, rather than pull him into the often vividly-sketched world of our protagonist and the memories that haunt him. Ultimately, Impact leans too heavily on the abilities of one man (and his words) to carry all the weight.

The script itself is not badly written, and Nighthawke is not a performer who lacks magnetism, and the near-monotone approach may not necessarily be the wrong way to approach this kind of character. It simply proves too difficult to sustain significant interest in such a minimalist piece.

A few vaguely combat-styled items are the only set dressing in sight, while the lighting is quietly effective, going some way towards adding an element of visual interest - but it's not quite enough to make Impact feel like a show that was ready to be staged in its current form.

Nonetheless, on opening night, there was at least one audience member prepared to give Nighthawke a standing ovation for his achievements, so your experience may vary.

Anthony Vawser

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