Stay Woke

Has there ever been a better stage setting at Sydney’s Darlinghurst Theatre? Matilda Woodroofe’s wonderfully realised Scandinavian wood cabin is terrific, with many acting areas and a glass back wall against which the snow has piled.

Author Aran Thangaratnam is Sri Lankan born and so are the fraternal lead roles in his bright 4-hander. Niv and Sai, played with authenticity and gusto by Dushan Philips and Kaivu Suvarna, have little in common. Niv, 30, is proudly vegan and a culture warrior, always looking to others for slippages, ready to call everyone to account for their actions. Meanwhile his ‘golden boy’ younger brother Sai, 25, is an action man, smart in his leather jacket.

Their partners for this weekend adventure are the perfect opposites. Mae (Brooke Lee), who is non-binary, enjoys the tangles that ensue; while Kate (Rose Adams) is white, from the country, and ready to put her foot right into everything. They certainly held their own against the men.

The weekend goes by in a blur of sibling rivalry and misplaced political correctness. Kate is repeatedly blundering into situations that she can’t deal with: Mae watches the men battle for supremacy with laidback slyness, having to get upset over the breaking of a mug they made at a course, but this does not ring true.

The weekend develops: Kate has brought a supply of Zanax, Mae overdoses, the men are brought to a sudden stop. Directed to the hilt by Bridget Balodis, this is David Williamson for the Woke Generation.

The acting is one thing: this production is strong overall. Apart from designing the set, Matilda Woodroofe also designed the excellent costumes, and Rachel Lee was in charge of the fabulous lighting. Composer Daniella A Esposito did the all-in sound, a task that covered many changes of on-stage equipment.

Frank Hatherley

Photographer: Phoebe Powell