Blood In The Water

A teenage boy commits a heinous act of violence against his girlfriend, she testifies and sends him to jail for five years. This is the underlying premise behind Blood In The Water; a dynamic family drama where everything that will go wrong does go wrong.

Ruth (Chris Koch) is the boy’s mother, juggling work and a rebellious teenage daughter Jenny (Mia Tucco). The children come from her abusive first marriage. She is now married to prominent local Councillor Reuben (Karlis Zaid), who is ambitious, self -righteous and likes to see himself as a family man. There is a looming council election, and he wants everything to run smoothly and is wary of the press attempting to jeopardise his next career move.

All was running according to plan until the ugly act of violence destroyed their once stable family unit. Relationships are turned on their head, Jenny is in a rage and cannot believe her loving brother would commit such an act. Ruth and Reuben’s marriage is on the rocks and the son who has no name, referred to only as he, son, brother - is now only a number in a prison cell.

Bentley has created a balanced and well-constructed dramatic narrative that unfolds   around the dining table, a place where tension builds and lingers. The dialogue is sharp, clever and witty. The characters are well rounded and connect seamlessly. Ruth still harbours trauma from her first marriage and blames herself for her son’s wrongdoing. Ruth’s sister Sally (Lana Schwarcz), a single mother who also has had her fair share of abuse, comes in from the left field; while she acts as mediator, she also offers clever comic relief.

Blood In The Water is a strong poignant family drama that carefully treats the big topic of  violence against women. The second act is set a couple of years after the first act. Ruth still blames herself, Jenny has matured and has moved on, and Reuben has left Ruth for a younger woman.

The set design is austere, reflecting on the institution of family, marriage and the law. Gorma (director) has cast a bunch of talented actors, she offers a sensitive yet confronting approach in response to a horrible act against an innocent woman and how innocent family members cope, and how and/or if they can learn to move on. 

Flora Georgiou

Photographer: Darren Gill