Playthings

Originally produced and presented by Second Chance Theatre at the Blue Room, Black Swan State Theatre Company’s rendition of Playthings, featuring the same director and cast as the excellent original, allows this show to stretch and grow as well as exposing this expertly written, beautifully crafted show to a much wider audience.

A wonderfully messy coming of age story that follows two very different 13-year-olds, both with terrible family secrets - whose gorgeously awkward romance takes some dark and twisted turns. Tender, touching and often funny, it deals with some very serious issues in a way that is ultimately hopeful and leaves us with a promise of healing. The premise and trajectory of the original production remain the same, but the characters are stronger and conversations deeper than they were in the earlier incarnation. 

Outstanding performances from Daniel Buckle and Courtney Henri as teenagers Arnold and Lucy - working organically together and creating two very convincing, very mixed up and ultimately very loveable young teens - perfectly capturing kids on the precipice of becoming young adults and gradually unpeeling the layers of their pasts.

Brilliant support from St John Cowcher as Lucy’s stepfather Rhys, and a stellar performance from Siobhan Dow-Hall as English teacher Miss Richards, that captures a teacher that cares so much, but is stifled by the system. A story where all the characters are flawed, but doing their best, and we find ourselves deeply invested in them all.

Sara Chirichilli’s thoughtful set and costume design gives us a great sense of time and place - and nicely establishes the homes of Arnold and Lucy. There is very atmospheric lighting design from Kristie Smith and highly evocative composition and sound design from Rebecca Riggs-Bennet.

Playthings is a very worthy script that deserves to be seen beyond Western Australia, hopefully in beautiful productions like this one, that touch the soul.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Daniel J. Grant