Le Sorelle (The Sisters)

Le Sorelle is a world premiere production from Company O. This bilingual production is performed in Italian and English, and while it is not necessary to speak Italian to enjoy this production, it is certainly a wonderful opportunity to exercise your language muscles for those with some Italian knowledge.

Two sisters live together in a comfortable farmhouse in Northern Italy. One of the sisters dreams of beginning a new life with her Australian boyfriend in Australia, but her sister has other ideas.

The sisters speak English well, but naturally revert to Italian when speaking amongst themselves, meaning audience members who do not speak Italian are relying on acting cues to follow what happens. The denouement is spoken in Italian, putting most audience members firmly in the place of the Australian boyfriend - who is also struggling to keep up. (My very decent Primary School Italian fails me in this instance as the conversation moves to places unsuitable for children.) It is a very effective device and an asset to the production.

Younger sister Valentina, full of dreams, but headstrong and direct, is played with great feeling by Alexandra Carlotta del Sorbo, forming a believable long-term relationship with sister Federica, given a nicely layered and twisting performance by Daniela Foti. Fabian Stewart makes a very impressive theatrical debut as Mack, travelling Aussie and victim of his passion. The actors work well as a trio, with believable use of intimacy and tension.

The Italian Club makes an effective theatrical space, with designer Justin Neil Mossel-Crossley creating the farmhouse rooms over two levels and using a limited lighting rig to great effect. The space is intimate and effective.

Well written and directed, this unusual use of language is a great way to give audience members some very different experiences of the same play. A moving and really interesting production that keeps its audience enthralled.

Kimberley Shaw