a play review by Meredith Fuller OAM Psychologist and Author
ANATOMY OF A SUICIDE
Heartstring Theatre, the Green Room-nominated theatre company, proudly brings Alice Birch’s Susan Smith Blackburn prize-winning play to Melbourne for the first time at Meat Market’s Stables.
“Carol, Anna and Bonnie are three women in three separate time periods who are inextricably linked. Carol, in the 1970s, has just given birth whilst 1990s Anna grapples with a drug addiction and pregnancy. Bonnie in the near future must decide whether she allows the ghosts of her past to influence her decision to have a family.”
There is a warning that this production includes discussion of suicide, depression, sterilisation, childbirth, fertility and mental illness. It includes artistic depictions of suicide and medical procedures.
Written by Alice Birch
Directed by Katie Smith
Performed by Elisa Armstrong, Ashleigh Coleman, Adriano Del Re, Adam Hetherington, Harper Hynes, Frances Lee, Lucy Payne, Erin Perrey, Alexander Tomisich, Stephen Whiley
Sound design by Grace Ferguson
Set and Costume design by Olivia Lucia Pimpinella
Lighting design by Georgie Wolfe
Stage managed by Alessandra Alessio
HEARTSTRING continues their high standard of earlier productions with this impeccable staging of a significant play. On Opening Night, I was transfixed and in awe. This professional staging pulled off every aspect of unforgettable performance – acting, direction, sound, set and costumune design, and lighting. Cast and crew are to be congratulated for a seamless delivery. Choreography, blocking, pace, transitions, and use of the space were extraordinary.
The play tackles significant issues with sensitivity, humour, and visceral truth. This ensemble is so tight and exemplary my experience of last night continues to reverberate.
The 3 protagonists, CAROL, ANNA and BONNIE are outstanding. ANNA, with the most difficult role, is a tour de force. How CAROL, ANNA, and BONNIE perform so brilliantly together is inspiring. This entire ensemble demonstrates a high standard that I have rarely seen – best practice theatre and exceptional casting. With a tricky multi-generational script done in parallel with some overlap, their timing was perfect. With less competent director, actors, and crew this challenging play could have been patchy, confusing, or exhausting. I always like to offer some constructive criticism or slight concern, but I am unable to. Every actor was compelling throughout; whether speaking, moving or in stillness. Most actors had multiple roles and they executed each one with aplomb.
I would encourage anyone involved in theatre, and any theatre goer to attend. So much to be enjoyed and learned. I hope that this has been filmed – what a useful tool for writers, directors and actors who wish to present past, present, and future material simultaneously.
5-16 February 2025
Wed – Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 5pm
Previews: 5 and 6 February
Tickets: $40 Full, $35 Concession, $28 Preview, $20 Mob tix
Enquiries: (03) 9329 9966
Venue: Meat Market’s Stables
2 Wreckyn St, North Melbourne 3051 VIC (corner of Wreckyn St and Courtney St)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/anatomy-of-a-suicide-tickets-1145232494219
Duration: 100 mins, no interval
Suitable for ages 15+
“Heartstring is a Melbourne based theatre company formed in 2016. Our aim is to create dynamic, thought-provoking theatre, interpreting both classical and new work. At Heartstring we endeavour to address the shortage of great and interesting roles for women by producing plays where at least half of the actors on stage are female-identifying and non-binary actors.”
