Flood

Flood, by Chris Isaacs, is Black Swan's contribution to the Fringe World Festival, and is the first product of the Black Swan Lab, a new initiative aimed at developing new plays, new collaborations and new artists.

The audience on preview night felt younger than the usual Black Swan audience, whether influenced by the young cast, the Fringe World banner or the subject matter and the show itself had the freshness and excitement of new work.

Six twenty-something friends pile into Mike's parents' Tarago and head North to an isolated camping spot.

They revel in carefree isolation until a stranger appears. There is a confrontation and the consequences change their life forever.

While Chris Isaac's plot is relatively simple, it is beautifully constructed and the blend of group narration and dialogue is used to great effect. Nicely directed by Adam Mitchell on a swirling, organic set by India Mehta, Chris Donnelly's lighting design adds greatly to this well told story. (The latter two designers were making their Black Swan debuts).

The six performers formed a dynamic and compelling ensemble, with excellent performances throughout. While Adrianne Daff, Will Mahoney and Whitney Richards are familiar to Black Swan audiences, Joshua Brennan made a Black Swan debut in the pivotal role of Mike while Rose Riley and Samuel Delich are 2013 WAAPA Acting graduates.

This was a fascinating production that kept the audience rapt, a beautifully told story with lots of conversation starters, unapologetically and quintessentially West Australian and a wonderful way to kick off Fringe World.

Kimberley Shaw

Images

(top) Rose Riley, Joshua Brennan, Will O'Mahony, Samuel Delich, Whitney Richards and Adriane Daff

(lower) Whitney Richards, Joshua Brennan, Adriane Daff, Rose Riley and Will O'Mahony.

Gary Marsh Photography.