The Intriguing Case of The Silent Forest

The Intriguing Case of The Silent Forest, written and directed by Mathew Crosby, is an astonishingly ambitious show - an exploration of trauma and its long-term effects on the human psyche, created and developed by The Thursday Group collective.

Crosby and company explore experimental and Japanese theatrical traditions including Tadashi Suzuki’s acting methodology in this ‘fractured noir’ murder mystery, developed from a short improvisational piece between Kathleen Doyle and Yoka Jones (The Thursday Group ensemble).

Heroine Kathleen Doyle (Josephine) is at the epicentre of the narrative. She is haunted, on the brink of madness, and a victim of trauma.

A human tongue is discovered and, metaphorically speaking, this is a quest for meaning and a search for clues to find a body and a murderer. The Detective’s (Crosby) investigation is under way, supported by his (Greek) chorus/ team (Rodrigo Calderon Tobar, Eidann Glover, Lorna Mcleod, Alana Hoggart). They provide a collective voice, moving with expressive physical vigour, while also doubling up as the other characters unravelling the mysterious narrative during the investigation.

The fresh, raw mayhem and natural combustible energy features a constant blurring of narrative and location. Southern American accents set the scene, with the occasional eruption of a broad Australian accent. The Japanese Yugen spirits, mysterious shadows, are elusive.

Lighting is simple and effective. The props are minimal and curiously enchanting with an elaborate yet simple mobile origami (Noriko Ikaga) hanging predominantly over the heroine.

This is a mindfully esoteric and truthful production that delves into sensitive taboo areas under the umbrella of freedom inspired Suzuki techniques. I feel it would be a much tighter production, and would not lose any integrity, if it was cut back a fraction.

Flora Georgiou

Image by Jack Kirby Crosby