Utopia

Utopia is a moving and heartfelt play about the refugee experience. Set in Afghanistan, it looks at the reasons for needing to leave the country and the vision of Australia as a Utopia.

Unusually staged, it is played largely in near darkness, and although there is some effective judiciously used lighting (by Hannah Portwine) the show is lit predominantly by torchlight from the audience. Showing snapshots of events, we see glimpses of stories - sometimes in repetition, where we see different results from different decisions. While this is apparently the author’s search for a solution, it also points to similar events happening in multiple homes - hinting at a bigger and wider experience.

Strong performance from an ethnically diverse cast, many of whom have a heritage from countries with their own refugee experience. The actors play a variety of characters and also act as a collective or ensemble.

Shirley Van Sanden plays the Motherland Afghanistan, and starts the play unexpectedly in the foyer, drawing us in and including us in the story. Adil Abdelmagid brings feeling to a photographer whose passion is considered haram under the Taliban. Sreekanth Gopalakrishnan’s roles include a tanker driver with a hidden human cargo. Rhianna Abu Lashin sensitively and convincingly plays two different young women, both facing daunting futures. Amir Musavi gives humanity a Taliban soldier. Walter Gotore brings depth to a brother in a horrible situation. Gemma Hanh completes the cast beautifully as a second Motherland.

While this show is heart-breaking, it offers us a perspective we rarely see. Promising writing, genuine performances, and a striking performance style, make this a worthy and interesting production.

Kimberley Shaw