The Removalists

Melbourne based independent Baker’s Dozen Theatre Company, with the support of Malthouse Theatre, present David Williamson’s AWGIE winning play The Removalists at the Mechanics Institute Brunswick.  Running until the 27^th of November it is a must see. It is not designed for easy enjoyment, although I did laugh at some of the extreme truths of malice in parts, a satirical laugh at the disbelief and shamefulness of some of societies evils.

The Removalists is a play filled with sordid realities, unfortunately so prevalent in our society as it stands today and perhaps as far back as the beginning of civilization.  Its confrontational, raw style presents us with a strong measure of domestic violence, police brutality, lies, corruption, deceit; so much ugliness so closely examined.

There are many nuances of power play; simultaneous relationships taking shape the whole time; the police sergeant defends the abused wife by fighting violence with violence, this may be wrong but I must say I felt no remorse. Juxtaposing this the sergeant appears to have his own underlying devious motives.

Then there is the sergeant giving first hand training to the new police officer on his first day on the job, leading by example by breaking a few rules and using stand over tactics.  Add in the abusive husband defending his actions by blaming the wife who he believed ‘deserved’ to be struck from time to time, plus the supportive sister character hoping the move takes place and no doubts are cast in the mind of her younger sister.  All this in parallel with the removalist man just wanting to get on with doing a good job, such a tangled web yet an equally strong emphasis is given to all separate relationships, very clever theatre.

The Removalists investigates many of the contradictions and conflicts in human relationships’ with so much detail to decipher; the suspicion, the blackmail, the threats, Williamson does not shy away from the ugly truths and the cast and crew bring it to the forefront with persuasion. If you have been a victim of such cowardly crime you will closely relate to this play, if you have not then it’s definitely an eye opener.

From the beginning to the end you are on the edge of your seat, the sound design gets the heart racing, adding to the tension, the lighting adds to the drama, the stage setting and props mainly in white let the darkness of the story stand out and the occasional multi media provides the random gross close up. Each of the actors are brilliant and robust as they held their stance convincingly without a glitch. 

It never did occur to me that removalists may be subjected to some horrible scenarios, you never know what you might find when entering peoples homes.  If you can’t watch acts of violence this is a show that can be uncomfortable but if you don’t deny the truth and accept the fact that a lot of evil does go on behind closed doors you will agree that ignorance is not bliss; awareness is the only way that can urge us to want to eliminate some of society’s ugliness,you may just walk away thinking ‘how can I make a difference?’ 

Lisa Romeo

PREVIEW AND BUY THE SCRIPT HERE.