Written by Angus
Cerini
Directed by Lee Lewis
A Griffin Theatre
Production
The Playhouse,
Canberra Theatre Centre to 12 May
Reviewed by Len Power
9 May 2018
‘The Bleeding Tree’ may be a new Australian play but it has
a timeless, almost legendary feel about it.
That’s as it should be as the issue at the heart of the play – violence towards
women – has always been there and, unforgivably, still is. Its description as a murder ballad is spot
on.
The play premiered at Griffin Theatre Company in 2015 and
went on to win three Helpmann Awards including Best Play, Best Direction and
Best Female Actor as well as the 2016 NSW Premier’s Literary Award.
In an act of revenge, three women in a town in rural
Australia, victims of domestic violence, kill the man responsible for their
misery and dispose of the body. It’s
clear that they feel no remorse or fear for their actions. As onlookers we are chilled and disturbed as
we imagine the depth of abuse they must have experienced to make them capable
of such an action. Issues of right and
wrong become conflicted in our minds.
Writer, Angus Cerini, provides these women with a dialogue
that is gritty and real. Weaving their
words together in a rich, almost poetic way, he creates a world that is unique
but recognizable and memorable.
 |
| Brenna Harding, Paula Arundell and Sophie Ross Photo: David James McCarthy |
The cast of three women, Paula Arundel, Sophie Ross and
Brenna Harding give outstanding performances in a play that is very demanding
of performers, physically and emotionally.
Lee Lewis’s direction is visually exciting and maintains the right pace as
well as light and shade in the dialogue.
Under her skilled direction, the actors have achieved an extraordinary depth
of character.
The attractive abstract set design by Renee Mulder works
very well with the excellent lighting design by Verity Hampson. Sound designer, Steve Toulmin, adds a strong
atmosphere to the show, especially with the alarming soundscape at the beginning
that plunges us quickly into the horror of the story that awaits us.
This is a remarkable play by an exciting new writer that has
been given a fine production. It’s
strong stuff and its message about violence towards women is clear. It’s also very satisfying, emotionally
involving and thought-provoking theatre.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on his ‘On Stage’ performing arts radio program on Mondays
and Wednesdays from 3.30pm on Artsound FM 92.7.
