Written by Laura
Lethlean
Directed by Katie
Cawthorne
Canberra Youth Theatre
The Courtyard,
Canberra Theatre Centre to 15 September
Reviewed by Len Power
12 September 2018
‘Fading’, the new production by Canberra Youth Theatre,
looks at an issue that we will all have faced at a certain time in our
lives. At about age 18, after years of
regimented school work and family life, the gates open wide and the pressure is
on for individuals to make decisions affecting their future. But how well-equipped are they to make those
decisions and how do they feel as they undergo that important transition?
Melbourne writer, Laura Lethlean, has chosen a good subject
to explore in theatrical terms. There is
a poetic quality to her writing that gives the show a dream-like aspect while confronting
the issues head-on. It’s not a deep
character-driven play but the words are all-important.
Director, Katie Cawthorne, directs her enthusiastic young cast
of eight in a lean production contained within bare black walls and with just a
swing to symbolise childhood. It’s very physical and energetic and the
style is reminiscent of drama student theatre games. The cast perform the struggle of leaving the
comfort and familiarity of childhood behind with intensity and believability.
There are touching moments of reflection and fear by the
characters, mixed with hollow bravado from individuals. The most effective sequence shows the gap
widening between the characters as they start to leave the safety of the group
to pursue their individual futures. The
sense of envy, loss and isolation is very recognizable and real.
There is optimism at the end, thankfully, and maybe we got
to that point a little too quickly but it’s a nicely written and well-performed
show about an issue that will have each audience thinking back to their own
experience, no matter how long ago it was.
The world may change but no-one will avoid undergoing this all important
transition. It was nice to be reminded
and reflect on the choices made again.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast in his ‘On Stage’ performing arts radio program on Mondays
and Wednesdays from 3.30pm on Artsound FM 92.7.