Shrine

Shrine is a dark play, set in Western Australia, which looks at the aftermath of a fatal road crash, and the effect on the deceased young man’s mother, father and friend. Darlington Theatre Players are using this play to promote road safety and the tragedy of life lost on our roads.

Kicking off with a disturbing audio portrayal of the crash (later revealed to be not quite was it seems), the audience are faced with high stakes drama from the outset.

Marloo’s lovely wide stage allows for the construction of a holiday home, beach side, road and bushland, eliminating the need for scene changes although the smashed car - a highly effective prop - appears several times throughout the show. The set, designed by Gary Wetherilt, serves the production well, supported by effective and emotive lighting design by Devlin Turbin. Costumes, coordinated by Tashlin Church, are well chosen for character.

A strong soundscape plays throughout the show, designed by Guy Jackson, which also features original music and composition by Alan Gill, Chris McRae and Jack Buckmaster.

This is not an easy watch, which is hardly surprising given the subject matter. The grief portrayed by victim Jack’s mother Mary is deep and unrelenting and while expertly and accurately portrayed by Anna Head in a bravura performance, is tough to watch. Her husband Adam’s different style of grief, a detachment and anger, is also thoughtfully and well portrayed by Gavin Crane

The character of June Fenton, beautifully performed by Madeleine Page, is complex. Lonely and rejected by the boys, and described by them, in front of us, in appalling terms, she has formed a relationship with Jack from afar. Briefly uniting in an almost magical experience, her loss is palpable and real.

The central character, Jack, though deceased, appears in flashback scenes, likeably played by Tom Rankin. His private school mates, privileged and obnoxious, were well played by Geordie Battle and Jack Buckmaster. My concern with all three of these young actors is that their laconic delivery was often difficult to understand, and I urge them to work on clarity and diction.

Completing the cast, Ethan Lucas as a younger Jack made the most of his few minutes of stage time.

The actors form a strong ensemble and intimacy, directed by Michelle Ezzy and Rebecca McRae, is well handled.

Good to see a well-acted version of a locally written and set play. A must -see for Tim Winton fans and those who prefer their drama on the heavy side.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Sean Breadsell