Written by Joanna
Murray-Smith
Directed by Tom
Healey
Red Stitch Actors’
Theatre & Critical Stages Touring
The Q Theatre,
Queanbeyan to 7 March
Reviewed by Len Power
5 March 2020
Building a dry stone wall in his garden, affable American,
Andy, regales us with sunny reminiscences of his life and, in particular, his
relationship with his wife and son, Robbie.
While his love and affection for his family seems rock solid, like his
garden wall, it becomes increasingly clear that you will find cracks if you
look for them.
The issue of gun violence and the personal impact that comes
with it is unflinchingly detailed by the writer. We are drawn into the detail of a family
relationship that we can all relate to. It’s
not perfect but it has a love, security and a normalcy that most of us experience
in our own lives. When a terrible
incident in that family’s life suddenly sweeps that all away, they are left
with questions that can never be answered.
Rather than an overt political statement for gun control,
Joanna Murray-Smith’s play makes its point through an attack on the one secure
thing most of us have – the family. Because
we can identify with our own family experiences, the play is intensely moving
and frightening. What if it happened to
us?
Joe Petruzzi as Andy gives a marathon one-person performance
that is convincing in its depth from start to finish. Limited to a single setting – a man building
a wall - director, Tom Healey, has staged the work with skill, judging the right
amount of pace and movement and ensuring the emotional level is believable
throughout.
The attractive set design by Darryl Cordell has a particularly
fine painted backdrop that is a work of art in itself. The lighting design by Bronwyn Pringle and
the subtle sound design and compositions by Patrick Cronin add considerable
atmosphere to the show.
This is a highly moving experience, beautifully staged with
a great performance by Joe Petruzzi. Joanna
Murray-Smith is on record as saying that this is the best play she has
written. I’m inclined to agree.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on the Artsound FM 92.7 ‘In the Foyer’ program on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 3.30pm.
‘Theatre of Power’, a
regular podcast on Canberra’s performing arts scene with Len Power, can be
heard on Spotify, ITunes and other selected platforms or at https://player.whooshkaa.com/shows/theatre-of-power.
