Skip to main content

Review: 37 - Queensland Theatre Company

Written by Jake Goodall

"Some will get what I'm trying to say, some won't. And the same could be said about the concept of reconciliation." - Nathan Maynard, Writer, 37

There is nothing better than walking into a State Theatre's building ready to watch a quality piece of art. Queensland Theatre's recent production of 37 is a stunning showcase in the behind-the-scenes of an Australian AFL club, highlighting the toxic masculinity, homophobia, and racism still running rampant within the sporting industry. 

The Cutting Cove Currawongs are the laughingstock of their small coastal town. They’ve spent so long at the bottom of the footy ladder, they’re basically rusted on. But some WD-40 arrives in the form of Jayma and Sonny — two Marngrook cousins named after the Aboriginal game that inspired AFL. It’s not long before the team realises that these two have what it takes to help them capture the flag for the first time in, well, forever… but turns out not everyone’s a fan. Set within the era of Adam Goodes’ war cry — and named after the number he immortalised — 37 is a loud, brash match between top dogs and underdogs that packs some serious bite.

Directed by Isaac Drandic, 37 was a theatrical masterpiece. Drandic created a fantastic story showcasing First Nations culture at the forefront. Occasionally performers were blocked with backs to the audience muffling their lines however this did not distract from the production. Drandic created some stunning tableaus of ALF with lifts, jumps and slides! Choreography by Isaac Drandic and Waangenga Blanco was calculated and intense, the was the cast performed dance was something truly special. 

Set & Costume Design by Dale Ferguson was simple yet effective, the set utilised plain open space with benches and footy bags across the back. The use of a large roller-style door added to the footy club aesthetic of the production. Lighting by Ben Hughes was evocative, using simple lighting to illuminating day and night, Sound and Composition by James Henry was beautiful. The soundtrack Henry created was beautiful and really helped to move the production and story along. 

The true strength of this production lies within the professional ensemble of the show. All 10 men involved in this show are extremely talented and it is clear they have all developed their characters. This talented troupe included Samuel Buckley as Apples, Costa D'Angelo as Ant, Thomas Larkin as GJ, Eddie Orton as Woodsy, Ben O'Toole as Joe and Anthony Standish as Dazza.

Syd Brisbane as The General was hard-hitting and a perfect rendition of an Australian Footy Coach. Brisbane provided us with the questionable father-figure character that we loved to hate. Mitchell Brotz as Gorby brought was the comedic relief in the production, Brotz created a try-hard character that wanted to say the right things but just couldn't. Finally, out star leads, Ngali Shaw as Jayma and Tibian Wyles as Sonny. These stunning performers took us on a journey through the stories, struggles and triumphs of First Nations people in modern-day Australia. ' 37 is about the potential we have to make this country - we now call Australia - a place where everyone feels they can belong. It's about opportunities and missed opportunities. It's about hope and working together to create a story we can all be proud of.' - Isaac Drandic, Director, 37.

Overall, 37 is a perfect piece of theatre that absolutely deserves five stars and full houses! Don't miss this stunning First Nation's story in the heart of Brisbane City, 37 performs until May 4 at the Billie Brown Theatre. BOOK NOW!

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Big Yikes // Playlab Theatre

  Written by Jake Goodall Growing up can often feel like navigating through uncharted territory, with uncertainties looming at every turn. Big Yikes! encapsulates this sentiment within a concise 90-minute production, weaving the relatable journey of Loxie as she ventures into the complexities of adulthood. From grappling with identity to confronting the daunting questions of purpose and direction.  Reinventing herself to evade being reduced to mere stereotypes, Loxie embarks on a tumultuous period of transition—graduating from school, stepping into her first job, and embarking on the quest for independence while awaiting university acceptances. Set against the backdrop of a dilapidated share house and the tumult of tangled relationships, Big Yikes! delves into the nuances of boundary-setting, decision-making, and self-discovery, all while injecting doses of humor and heartbreak into its storytelling. Written by Madeleine Border, the script's casual tone serves as an accessible...
Post a Comment
Read more

Article: Circa turns 20! // Circa

  Australia’s mighty circus company CIRCA is celebrating its 20th birthday in 2024. It was on March 31, 2004, that Circa, then an ensemble of three, performed its first show. Fast forward twenty years, and Circa is an ensemble of thirty, with five full time directors and designers; from its original base in Brisbane, Circa now has additional homes in Cairns and satellite bases around the world.   Firmly established as one of the world’s leading performance companies, over the past two decades, the company has achieved remarkable success to become Australia’s most internationally toured performing arts company, performing in over 45 countries, to nearly 2 million people and attracting superlative reviews wherever it goes.   In 2024, Circa is delivering a staggering 361 performances in 20 different countries 97 cities and towns. Australian highlights include the World Premiere of Dido and Aeneas, a new collaboration with Opera Queensland following January’s critically accla...
Post a Comment
Read more

Article: Free Dance Classes To Incentivise Boys to Dance - Queensland Ballet

This month Queensland Ballet launched The Ballet Boys Project , a series of initiatives designed to explore and address the decline of boys in ballet and dance. Since 2020, Queensland Ballet Academy has seen a 36% decline in male enrolments, a downward trend that Christian Tàtchev, Director of Queensland Ballet Academy, observes is evident across the professional training industry globally. Queensland Ballet Executive Director Dilshani Weerasinghe said the company is taking the decline seriously by taking a market leading stand and addressing what is potentially a sustainability issue for the artform. “As such, we are encouraging the dance and broader community to join this movement with us to ensure the tradition of ballet – although ever evolving, lives on with strong participation from male dancers,” Mrs Weerasinghe said. The company has established a The Boys in Ballet Committee to identifying the roadblocks and take action to address the issue. As the fi...
Post a Comment
Read more