Review: Blue - La Boite Theatre & Belvoir St

Written by Jake Goodall

Taking control of a one-man show is no easy feat. The ability to captivate an audience for a full 80 minutes is a rare talent, one that cannot be taught. La Boite's latest production, Blue, features award-winning actor Thomas Weatherall at the helm, and it is clear that they could not have made a better choice.

Blue tells the story of Mark, a young man navigating life after moving out of his family home for the first time. His mother begins writing him letters to stay connected and offer gentle support. However, one letter delivers devastating news, setting Mark on a path of introspection. Alone in his apartment on a seemingly ordinary morning, Mark must grapple with his young life's trajectory, the day's demands, his studies, and the fragile nature of existence

Written by Thomas Weatherall, who also stars in the production, Blue is a profoundly personal and meaningful narrative. Weatherall exposes his soul to the audience without reservation, with the writing ebbing and flowing as gracefully as the ocean motif that recurs throughout the play. This production exemplifies the importance of artistic freedom; many theatre companies might shy away from such content due to its raw honesty and language. However, La Boite, Belvoir St, and Weatherall deserve high praise for delivering an essential show with life-saving potential.

Weatherall's performance as Mark is mesmerizing. His deep connection to the material infuses the character with an authenticity that would be challenging to replicate in another production. Holding the audience's attention for the entirety of the show, Weatherall crafts an imaginative and spectacular world for Mark to inhabit.

Director Deborah Brown's approach is straightforward yet highly effective. Her blocking ensures that Weatherall's story remains central, with impressive visual elements of water enhancing the narrative. Set and costume design by Jacob Nah and Cris Baldwin also deserve commendation. While the costumes reflect a simple contemporary style, the set is phenomenal—a curved structure with a rough paint texture and an elongated pool that is gradually revealed. This provided a fantastic canvas for Weatherall and Brown to explore, and for David Bergman to project his impeccable video design. The varied videos showcasing water and ocean scenes reinforced the 'blue' theme beautifully. Chloe Ogilvie's lighting and Wil Hughes's sound design are both simple yet effective, supporting the story seamlessly. The technical elements of the production, though understated, blend perfectly to create a cohesive and powerful experience.

Overall, Blue is a remarkable production from one of Australia's most promising performers. Tackling significant themes such as suicide, grief, and death, this show offers audience members a way to process their own emotions and experiences. It is an absolute five-star, must-see production.

Blue plays until the 1st of June, you can purchase tickets here!