The Resistance

After tramping around Walsh Bay for some time, I eventually found The Rebel Theatre up many stairs beyond the Bell Shakespeare headquarters. My reward was the most spectacular, up-close, wrap-around view of the Harbour Bridge it was possible to have: thank you.

Named in honour of ATYP alumni Rebel Wilson, the theatre, once attained, has a laid-back open stage, ideal for a show like this – lots of bits and pieces, lots of popping ideas, brilliant for making you feel part of the action. And the swanky first-night audience were certainly up for joining in.

The story revolves around a small action group who are planning to join a national protest against Climate Change to be led by Greta-Thunberg-lookalike Eva Lawson. They’ve got the posters (‘Have Fun!’, ‘You Can Do It!’, ‘Put Up Your Hand!’) and the pamphlets, and they’re all hooked up to an ear-piercing sound system. 

But, suddenly, Eva isn’t coming! Will the new leader be Marlee (Diya Goswami) or Hayden (Lakesha Grant) or Pepper (Thea Sholl), or it could be YOU as a member of the audience, for recruitment happens early with some persuasive words from the cast to audience members.

Gradually these new faces merge with the cast, forming a grinning, happy band. Who’s on-stage? Who’s making the plans? The fourth wall has been well and truly broken!

I’m unsure who is actually in the show – no programs! – but there’s Genevieve Lemon as the elder of the group, making lots of banners and helping two young kids on stage at the finale.

The Set and Costume Designer (Tobhiyah Stone Feller) and the Sound Designer (Luke Di Somma) have been given carte blanche on their excellent ideas, though the volume of sound could, surely, be turned down just a notch. No? Oh, well...

Created by director Kip Chapman, the show turns out to be a giant protest party, to which we have all been invited. It’s unclear exactly how many others across Australia are coming to the party. Hundreds of thousands are said to be on the way.

Frank Hatherley

Photographer: Clare Hawley