Mosquito

Mosquito is an original play, produced by Sunburnt Productions and the Hayman Theatre. The story of a group of young people before and after the disappearance of friend and housemate, Kate, it is split into two timelines and these intersect and smash into each other as the friends deal with their friend’s disappearance.

Set in the 1990s in a world of landlines, raves and VCRs, the highly textured set (amazing work from T. Mutta Bailey and Nelson Fannon) is also a slimming together of two different places - a slightly chaotic share house (like so many I knew at the time) and of the bush where presumably Kate now lies. A very effective design that is well used. The show is lit, with thought to emotion, from a design by Nelson Fannon, and features vibrant sound design and a well filmed AV segment by Sebastian Boyd.

Vicki, who gradually emerges as the protagonist, is sympathetically and cleverly played by Amber Gilmour in a performance with maturity and depth. Tully Jones, is a very effective Jules, while Samuel Ireland brings warmth and at times a lightness to Gal.

Danika Bentley is a very likeable Kate, ensuring that the audience also feel Kate’s loss at some level, while “outsider” and Kate’s love interest Jeremy is played with a certain amount of enigmatic charm by Joe Haworth. All five performers work as a team with ease, and build believable relationships.

 A well-written play that deals with big issues in a captivating structure. Strong performances kept the audiences on their toes – a drama with an edge

Kimberley Shaw