Donor

In her solo show, Julia Grace gives a masterclass in storytelling, characterisation, audience engagement, timing, transitions, and the use of silence, space and props. With these finely honed tools she explores how people make meaning in the face of life’s challenges by following the central character, Wren, from her ‘failure’ in her Chicago advertising job, to making the decision to donate part of her liver to Kate, her best friend.

Julia Grace wrote the piece, and the language satisfyingly ranges from the roughly colloquial, through wittily corrosive, to poetically descriptive.

The embedded stories of her life in Chicago, making friends with Kate, her relationship with her dog, being forty and not yet successful in life or love, the trip back to Australia and her reflections on the advertising business all add depth and context to the central narrative. Julia Grace cleverly evokes other characters, sometimes with just the tilt of her head, but often with an exquisite change in vocal and physical expression.

Even though the stage could only be described as miniscule, with effective sound design from Ben Andrews and sensible lighting support, a variety of spaces is created using richly evocative language.

Direction by Emily O’Brien Brown ensures the realisation of the play does the carefully written text justice. This play achieves a thoughtful and moving exploration of the tough times in life while keeping the audience thoroughly engaged and entertained.

Ruth Richter

Photographer: Ben Andrews