Written
by Alana Valentine, presented by Tredwood Productions
Darlinghurst
St Theatre, 4th-27th January, tickets from $33.00
Reviewed
by Lana Hilton
Tinderbox
is an amazing production which follows the intertwined lives of three very different
people, connected by their contact with a physical and metaphoric fire. Through
scenes and monologues Alana Valentine allows us to see the parallels between a
burning, raging fire, and our own lives and relationships. Both can be burnt
and damaged by accident, or on purpose.
Throughout
the play the audience is confronted with the unfortunate tales of three
characters who live in rural NSW. Each hastheir problems and is quite unusual. Alongside
each story we are presented with historical facts about bushfires in Australia,
and we learn the sad statistics of lives and property lost and the effect this
has had on the land. This contrasting storyline forces you to consider your life and relationships, and note
whether or not they too follow the patterns of fire.
The
set design is sparse, uncomfortable and coupled with eerie spotlights and a soft
glow against a smoky background, it as if you are thrust into a fire yourself,
never quite knowing how to become untangled. Darlinghurst St Theatre is the
perfect location for such a production, offering an intimate atmosphere for
plays that project heavy emotion and leave the audience feeling breathless.
The
three actors – Nastassja Djalog, Benjamin Ross and Alan Lovell - were
undoubtedly 100% committed to their roles and at times I was gulping back tears
as monologues conjured powerful, disturbing images in my mind. Each actor was
focused, well-projected and utterly mesmerising. The vivid script made it a
welcome piece to enjoy and I am sure the actors found it challenging enough to
incite their brilliant performances.
The
release of this production couldn’t have come at a better time, with our great,
barren land currently being ravaged by fire and thousands of people being scarred
emotionally and physically as each blaze takes its toll. Tinderbox is thought
provoking in this sense, making you realise that the brutality of nature exists
off the stage as well as on. And within and outside of ourselves.
