Presented by Adelaide Festival and Traverse Theatre Company
Reviewed 6 March 2020
Award winning playwright Kiran Hurley has crafted a powerful play around a story which explores his own life and the effect of power and privilege. Set in Edinburgh, in the suburban housing estates and the crags, the play takes us to a universal level of despondency that is not unique to any city or place. The characters are an odd couple connected by their desperate loneliness. Libby, played by Shauna Macdonald, is a successful author who has lost her way, unable to write, ready to abandon the world. Declan, portrayed by Angus Taylor, is a raw 17-year-old talented artist with a violent stepfather, a kid sister he adores living in immense poverty, unaware of what he is capable of. He prevents her desperate act and Libby recognising his talent gives him the endorsement he needs, but she also becomes aware of his story and feels it needs to be told: a story in Declan’s working-class voice from his unique perception.
Libby opens Declan’s eyes to the world of art and a part of the city he did not know existed. He revels in the ability to view the Art galleries for free. The inequities of these two people are obvious, one with talent but no support or life skills, the other with a comfortable support system and a world which will welcome her return. The conflicts of class and culture and their contradictions lead to the fundamental question we need to address about inequality, privilege and exclusion. After Declan’s eyes are opened, the intense, almost sexual, connection between the characters is broken, Declan is again abandoned but Libby has his story to replenish her career. But is it her story to tell? Where is Declan’s voice in all of this?
Oria O’Loughlin’s direction is tight but sensitive aided by Kai Fischer’s lighting and design on the simple but effective set. Kim Moore has given this production an evocative soundscape creating a dark but fascinating space. For some the strong accents may cause a problem, but they help the authenticity and provide colour.
This is a confronting piece, presenting more questions than it answers and causing the audience to examine our own society and where we fit. A terrific import from Scotland!
Reviewed by Fran Edwards
Twitter: @franeds
Rating out of 5: 5
Venue: Odeon Theatre
Season: 6 – 14 Mar
Duration: 1hr 35 mins
Tickets: $30 – $69
Bookings: https://www.adelaidefestival.com.au/events/mouthpiece/
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