Rust and Bone by Caleb Lewis

Sam Smith, Wade Briggs and Renato Musolino (credited to Bob Seary)

The first of this year's programme at the SBW Stables Theatre in Darlinghurst presented by Stories Like These and Giffin Independent.  It is a world premier taken from short stories by Craig Davidson.

Celeb Lewis brings three short stories alive, intertwining them on stage so the audience can see the development of all three, at the same time. This is not an easy thing to achieve, not only do you have to keep the thread of each tale alive but you have to make it clear enough to the audience so they don't get lost.

We meet three characters Ben (Wade Briggs), James (Renato Musolino) and Eddie (Sam Smith).  Each are battling their own demons. Ben has to come to terms with the leg he as lost, James with his infertility and dark love of dog fighting and Eddie a boxer with a guilty conscience. There is little story regarding each character but you learn about their ordeals, what they have been or are going through.  The acting was flawless, they kept up the pace and the timing was spot on. Corey McMahon the Director chose well. Not only did each actor have to play their individual characters but all the minor roles within each others stories; they were on stage the entire time. The directing and music was also excellent. The music was subtle and unobtrusive, some audience members probably wouldn't notice it was there but it was certainly adding to the atmosphere.


It is a tense play with some welcome lighthearted moments. It is very confronting particularly the dog scenes which were very well enacted; though no dogs were actually there you could image the sordid scene, the sweat and the blood.  As an audience member you wanted to sympathise with James but you know what he does, so feel torn. This really is true for all the characters, you want to like them but feel you shouldn't. The writing and dialogue flowed seamlessly up until the last act or phase when I did get lost, not between the stories but exactly what was happening particularly on the ice, I sort of got it at the end but it lacked the clarity of the rest of the play.

Having interview Corey the Director I know he enjoys contemporary plays and developing new ideas. This was so well directed I look forward to whatever he brings to the stage next.

Rust and Bone plays the the SBW Stables until 2 February, click here for more information