Black is the New White

Black is the New White is the funniest production presented by Black Swan State Theatre Company in many years. This Sydney Theatre Company production deals with some important issues including race, class, colonialism and inter-racial marriage, but is at its heart, a romantic comedy that keeps its audience chuckling throughout.

Charlotte Gibson is a high-flying Aboriginal lawyer with a prominent media profile. Her father Ray is a former politician, who is enjoying a very comfortable retirement. Charlotte’s fiancé is Francis Smith, an experimental classical composer, whose father was a conservative politician who often clashed with Charlotte’s father Ray. The two families are about to meet, for Christmas.

Excellent performances throughout from this obviously well-bonded ensemble. Luke Carroll shines as the narrator, working the audience beautifully, but perhaps strongest during the times he is perched somewhere on stage simply silently reacting. Miranda Tapsell is lovely as the warm and intelligent Charlotte Gibson, a character with great depth. She works fabulously well with Tom Stokes, who gives us a Francis Smith who is gloriously, gorgeously awkward throughout.

Tony Briggs is excellent as patriarch Ray Gibson, nicely matched with the outstanding Melodie Reynolds-Diarra, whose Joan Gibson is obviously the true head of the family. Great to see a mature couple who are so wonderfully and overtly sexy. Francis’ parents are well played by Geoff Morrell, whose Dennison Smith has wonderful bluster, and Vanessa Downing, whose Marie Smith reveals a series of wonderful surprises.

Kylie Bracknell (Kaarljilba Kaardn) looks amazing and performs beautifully as Charlotte’s fashion designer sister Rose Jones. Her husband, former Aboriginal Sportsman of the Year Sonny Jones, is played with impressive physicality and comic charm by Anthony Taufa.

Renée Mulder’s beautiful design gives us a set that screams wealth, but also pride in Aboriginal heritage - vital in establishing the world of this play - and also gives us some stunning costumes. Ben Hughes’ lighting design is subtle and sensitive, while Steve Toulmin’s composition and sound design adds to the comic drive.

This slow is slick, sexy and hilarious, with tight direction moving a clever, comedic script. Opening night saw the whole audience on their feet, in a town notoriously reluctant to give standing ovations. If you haven’t seen a Black Swan production in a while, this fun and fabulous show is the one you should see.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Toni Wilkinson