The Theatre Enthusiast review: "The type of theatre Australia should champion, be proud of and feature on our mainstream stages."
In recent years we have heard the term ‘refugee’ repeatedly in the news. Intermingled with phrases like ‘boat people’, ‘asylum-seeker’, ‘war’ and ‘invasion’. The phrases themselves have kept refugees somewhat anonymous, a collective, a group, a them that is different to, and getting in the way of, us.
The anonymity has kept us from asking questions – What does day-to-day life look like in a country gripped with war? What are the people like there? Do they hang out with their friends? Share jokes? Make love?
In THEM, Samah Sabawi shows us.
In recent years we have heard the term ‘refugee’ repeatedly in the news. Intermingled with phrases like ‘boat people’, ‘asylum-seeker’, ‘war’ and ‘invasion’. The phrases themselves have kept refugees somewhat anonymous, a collective, a group, a them that is different to, and getting in the way of, us.
The anonymity has kept us from asking questions – What does day-to-day life look like in a country gripped with war? What are the people like there? Do they hang out with their friends? Share jokes? Make love?
In THEM, Samah Sabawi shows us.
Lara Week’s set, beautifully lit by Shane Grant builds on the sense that their world is falling a part. Piles of rubble and slanted shutters surround a modest sink and table. Elissa Goodrich’s sound design creates the reality of bombings, air raids and sirens. Set changes turn into an invocation of Middle Eastern culture with the help of Piano Man Meena Shamaly, an effective creation of continuity.
It is a privilege to witness Bagryana Popov’s collaboration with Sabawi for this production of the 2019 play. The Premier Literary Awards speak for themselves, this is the type of theatre Australia should champion, be proud of and feature on our mainstream stages.
I rarely give star ratings as they sometimes simplify a nuanced perspective but whatever stars I have, I would give them all to THEM.
THEM has kicked off a national tour. Book tickets and support independent, Australian theatre.
BY VAANIE KRISHNAN