Things I Know To Be True
An outstanding production from Black Swan State Theatre Company, Things I Know To Be True is a superbly directed, sensitively acted story of a beautifully flawed people, the resilience of a long marriage and the bonds of family.
Zoe Atkinson’s set design, centred around the archetypal glass sliding door found in so many family homes, is simple, open, and recognisable. A kitchen bench unit, a garden bed of roses (whose state of bloom shows the passing of time) slide in and out, as the door frame rotates to show the passing of time. Costuming is simple but precise - this could be any home in your street.
Mark Howett’s striking and thoughtful lighting design helps steer the audience’s emotions, while Ash Gibson’s composition and sound design feels almost organic in their intelligence and appropriateness.
Set in the home of Bob and Fran Price, their four adult children come and go, over the course of the year, as the family deal with a myriad of issues, both in the present, and emerging from the past. This cast are a believable family unit, whose long-term relationships are complex and believable.
Humphrey Bower creates a wonderfully flawed but genuine and loveable Bob, a down to earth father trying to do his best, in a very solid anchoring performance. Caroline Brazier is excellent as Fran, matriarchal and complex with deep and layered relationships with every other character.
Laura Shaw is delightful as youngest child Rosie, whose early return from her gap year in Europe sets off the action in the play. Monologues feature heavily in this play - and all are expertly delivered - with Rosie’s being particularly compelling. Emma Jackson is lovely as older sister Pip, caught between two worlds, Will O’Mahoney bring confidence, self-assured energy, and charm to the role of “successful” son Ben - charting an excellent journey throughout, while Kaz Kane is very strong as Mark, holding perhaps the biggest secret, in a well-drawn performance.
Things I know to true. 1. Andrew Bovell is one of the best Australian playwrights of our time. 2. Black Swan’s production of Things I Know To Be True is a truly excellent production. 3. You should buy a ticket before it is too late.
Kimberley Shaw
Photographer: Daniel J. Grant.
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