When the rain stops Falling - review

When the Rain Stops Falling by Andrew Bovell is presented by the Sydney Independent Theatre Company. This is a multi-layered play spanning several decades (1959 - 2039) and two countries; Australia and England. It is based around six characters played by seven actors. It is a circular tale with lots of repetitions with the characters in the different decades repeating sayings and movements from decades before.
The play opens with all the characters on stage in the rain when a fish falls from the sky. It is 2039 and fish are very rare. Gabriel York played by Alex Nicholas picks it up and decides to cook it for his long lost son Andrew Price, played by Jacob Thomas.  Gabriel has some regrets about his life and dysfunctional family, it is similar to Henry Law, also played by Alex, he left his family and a son called Gabriel, back in the 60's. Gabriel York, like Andrew goes to find his father, he travels to Australia to follow a series of postcards his father sent. Gabriel meets Gabrielle York and they fall in love. Gabrielle has a had a trouble family life which as it turns out is linked to Gabriel. Confused?
Ok let's start again Elizabeth Law and Henry Law had a child Gabriel Law. Henry Law disappeared to Australia. Gabriel Law went to Australia, met and fell in love with Gabrielle York, they had a child Gabriel York who had a son Andrew Price. What I have missed out is that you see Gabrielle York later in her life with her new partner Joe Ryan! The play, amongst all this does look at the way people cope or don't cope with the tragedy in their lives, it also skimming looks at the effects of Alzheimer.

The staging is well done so it is not confusing at all when you are watching. The use of a calendar on the wall assisted with the continuity too. The movement within this peice and staging was very slick.
As this was an opening night their were a few nerves, the first act in particular was rather slow and as the story doesn't pick up until the second act you did feel the hardness of the seats.  Some of the dialogue in the first few scenes was rather stilted. However, as the play hit the Second Act the story picked up along with the pace. Nerves had calmed a bit and all seems a little more polished.
The staging particularly the rain was very good, not so good if you need the bathroom, do make sure you go before you take your seat!
The direction by Julie Baz was very good, as was most of the acting, I particularly enjoyed the performances by  Christina Falsone (Elizabeth Law, younger), Erin McMullen (Gabielle York, older), Alex Nicholas (Gabriel York and Henry Law) and Rebecca Scott (Gabrielle York, Younger).

When the Rain Stops Falling is playing at the Sydney Independent Theatre in Newtown, Tuesdays to Saturday until 17 November for more info click here.