The Lark

Daniel Keene has penned an extraordinarily poignant story. He employs poetic and evocative language that also sounds naturalistic and authentic. Noni Hazlehurst portrays Rose Grey, a woman who seems to be occupying a spectral and somewhat liminal space, which was once a thriving pub, called The Lark. Here she reminisces on the time she and her father spent in this workplace which was also her home and an inviting venue for the local community to simply come together. The set and costume design (Emily Barrie) accentuates the sense of history and abandon of this space and allows the details of Rose’s story to almost echo its way to the audience.

Rose reminisces on her tumultuous relationship with her father and the many patrons at The Lark. She recounts a life which is apparently very ordinary, but it is rich with emotion and pathos.  Hazlehurst’s performance is nothing short of breathtaking. She commands the space with a haunting realism that makes her character appealing and easily identifiable. The persona is portrayed with a very traditional notion of the Aussie battler with a no-nonsense, pragmatic outlook. She captures this particular notion of Australian identity perfectly without any glorification or worship. The title of the play and the pub in the story also both work to invoke iconic Australian imagery; the magpie-lark and the playful, mischievous larrikin nature of Australian culture. Through this intense and beautiful performance Hazlehurst is able to highlight the candid and honest nature of the text. 

The very subtle sound (Darius Kedros) and lighting (Richard Vabre) design accentuate the ghostly atmosphere of the set and help bring this spellbinding production to a sharp and decisive end. 

Patricia Di Risio 

Photographer: Cameron Grant, Parenthesy