funny, fearless and full of challenge
Presented by: No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability and Military and Emergency Services Health Australia (MESHA) as part of State Theatre Company South Australia’s 2023 Stateside program.
Reviewed: 6 July, 2023
The Drill Hall at the Torrens Parade ground has been transformed into a pop up theatre. The bare wooden boards have a moving set, a scrim, a state of the art light and sound system and some really talented differently abled actors to bring it to life.
From the moment the show starts and the projection of a forest appears on the scrim which becomes three-dimensional as the lights come up on the tableau of soldiers lost in the forest of violent warfare, we know we are in for a very interesting and thought provoking night of theatre. There are 6 differently abled performers in this piece of work (plus a special contribution from Steven Lockwood) and they take us through some of the experiences that shape their thoughts and lives as they fight their battles in their individual wars. Adam Bullmore, Duncan Luke, Michaela Cantwell, Paddy Firster, Claire Keen and Jeshua Peterson all have their stories of internal and external war to tell not all wars are fought with guns.
They reveal their battles with day to day transactions that become overwhelming in the war to overcome a sudden and catastrophic change to their lives. It’s the daily war they are engaged in as workers, parents, friends, children. It’s funny, confronting, and always engaging and the world Paulo Castro (the director) has built with these actors allows them to work in a safe environment whilst they share with us some of the secrets they hide as they struggle with living an ordinary life in an extraordinary world.
Castro is a master at getting the best out of his actors and it is evident he has instilled a sense of courage into the stories these actors reveal in the 90 minutes they inhabit the worlds they have built. Castro has allowed his actors to breathe and flow through the work. Nothing ever feels hurried, stressed or out of place. It takes a courageous director to allow his actors that much freedom and every one of them respond with a truth and integrity that is humbling.
Kathryn Sproul’s set is peppered with its usual genius. The space is vast to walk into, effortlessly gets transformed into a more intimate spaces as the show progresses and has created a space for Nic Mollison’s spectacular projections and cleverly constructed light plot to shine, with some additional image design by Jermaine Hamilton. Mitre Khammash’s soundscape is an additional highlight. Always audible and never too loud, it surfs the show along without you noticing how integrated it is to the storylines.
The State Theatre Company are credited with the set construction, as I said, it’s a fantastic set. The set installation is credited to Tom Sutton, Mark Fisher and Ninian Donald. A little birdie told me they were part of a much larger team that turned the Drill Hall into a theatre in two days. They built a foyer, tiered seating, a complex set with many moving parts, installed a lighting rig which would do any theatre proud and then stood by to assist in the running of a flawless opening night. Mention should also be made of the ACArts Technical Production and Design Student Secondments who were on hand to help out.
This is a show worth seeing. It integrates into our creative world the wonderful and inspiring actors from No Strings Attached Theatre, our lives are enriched by their talent and courage to tell their stories. I should also mention MESHA’s support and encouragement of these unique and brave individuals. MESHA’s constant promotion of positive outcomes in all areas of disability is an organisation that constantly strives for integration in the workplace and so many positive outcomes for disadvantaged people in our communities.
A show that should be seen by all, it is a breath of fresh air. Don’t be deceived by the title, these actors will make you laugh and cry and give you a very good night in the theatre.
Reviewed by Adrian Barnes
Photo credit: supplied
Tickets: General $49.50 Concession $39.50 (Booking Fees apply)
Venue: Drill Hall. Torrens Parade Ground
Season: 6th – 9th July 2023
Duration: 90 mins (approximately)
Bookings: https://statetheatrecompany.com.au/shows/stateside-my-war/
Content: Age 15+ – Mild coarse language, adult themes.
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