Skip to main content

Review: Horizon - Playlab Theatre

Written by Jake Goodall

There’s something utterly liberating about cruising down the boundless roads of outback Australia, leaving behind the weight of daily worries and embracing the open expanse, except when there are secrets brewing. Playlab's recent revival of their 2021 hit, Horizon, captures this exhilarating sense of escape with breathtaking brilliance.

In this compelling 90-minute journey, we follow Cole and Sky as they embark on a road trip deep into the heart of Australia. Sky, weary of the monotony of corporate life, and Cole, grappling with his father’s illness, find their newfound freedom punctuated by a forgotten mixtape tucked away in the glove box. But as secrets begin to seep from the confines of their vehicle, the vast Australian bush turns eerily menacing, and the road trip games that once brought joy now feel hollow.

Written by Maxine Mellor, Horizon is a high-octane exploration of the Australian political landscape, pushing the audience to confront their own morals, ethics, and judgments. Mellor's script weaves together poetry, realism, and gothic themes with masterful precision, making it a thought-provoking experience for Southeast Queensland audiences.

Under the direction of Ian Lawson, this production is nothing short of immaculate. The entire set is ingeniously centered around a physical car on stage, with the vehicle serving as both a storytelling device and a visual focal point. The design is enhanced by full-length screens depicting the Australian bush, creating a cinematic quality that makes the production accessible and engaging for a diverse audience. Lawson's direction of the actors is particularly noteworthy, with naturalistic blocking during the introspective scenes and fluid movement during the more dynamic moments, adding depth to the storytelling. The blend of traditional and innovative techniques in this production transforms it into a captivating theatrical experience.

Nathan Sibthorpe’s AV design, though understated, significantly enriches the production, adding a subtle yet beautiful layer to the overall experience. The lighting by David Walters and sound by Guy Webster work in tandem to create an impactful and immersive space, enhancing the atmosphere of the play.

No performance would be complete without exceptional actors, and Horizon boasts two standout performances. Julian Curtis as Cole delivers a poignant portrayal of a man with a troubled past seeking redemption, while Ashlee Lollback as Sky captures the essence of an independent woman discovering her true self and aspirations. Their chemistry and dedication elevate the production, holding the audience’s attention throughout the entire 90 minutes.

In summary, Horizon is a five-star triumph, a must-see for theatre lovers, fans of Australian writing, and anyone who appreciates top-notch theatre. This production stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and the brilliance of its creative team.

Horizon plays until the 10th of August 2024 at Underground Theatre in the Brisbane Powerhouse. Tickets can be purchased here!

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Medea - Queensland Theatre

Written by Grace Wilson From little things, big things grow. It’s a saying that is so Australian and so rooted in our culture. It inspires and it gives hope. Everyone knows of this saying and the song attached to it, but never have we experienced a situation where this saying comes to mind. That is until  Queensland Theatre’s production of Medea by Anne-Louise Sarks and Kate Mulvaney, directed by Daniel Evans. This adaptation of this famous Greek tragedy focuses on the perspective of the two sons of Jason and Medea. In the original myth, we see little to no actual story from these two young boys - so to see an adaptation from a frankly inaccessible storyline in the traditional drama was a bold and incredibly smart choice. To truly appreciate the way the playwrights took this traditional myth and flipped it on its head, a knowledge of the actual myth was required because the subtleties of references could easily be missed. The play ranged from blatant acknowledgments of the traditio...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: The Haunting - Tugun Theatre Company

Written by Jake Goodall There is nothing better than heading to the theatre on a cold & rainy night to watch a gothic play about a haunting, and Tugun Theatre's recent production of The Haunting proved there is still a space for horror ghost plays in the world.  Based on the Charles Dickens Novel (and adapted by Hugh Janes), the story follows a young book dealer, David Filde, when he is employed by a former associate of his uncle to catalog a private library, he finds an incredible array of rare and antiquated books. But as a series of strange and unexplained events conspire to keep Filde from his work, he realises that if he is to convince his skeptical employer that the mysterious phenomena he is experiencing are real, they must journey together to the very edge of terror, and beyond. This reviewer was lucky to see the West End hit production The Women in Black recently at the Playhouse, QPAC which set the bar for horror ghost stories, and with the resources available to them...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Burn The Floor - Dance Partner Productions

Written by Jake Goodall Get ready for a night of high octane dancing extravaganza as Burn the Floor enters the Villa! Opening at the Brisbane Powerhouse for a short 3 day season before continuing on their National Australian Tour, this is the dance show of the year that you don't want to miss! Presented by Dance Partner Productions, Burn the Floor is on it's 25th anniversary tour hosted by Human Nature's Phil Burton. This Australian based production has seen many different iterations over the past 25 years from local and regional towns to Broadway and West End productions, proving that the story of dance is a lifelong commitment.  Directed by Peta Roby, and choreographed by Jorja Freeman, Alberto Faccio, Robbie Kmetoni, if you could think of a style of dance this production had it included. As always with Burn The Floor, ballroom is the featuring genre and boy do the production cast prove their talent in this tight 90-minute show. The movement is fluid and each dancer gets ...
Post a Comment
Read more