Here is a swirling cacophony of ideas and concepts that should, for all intent and purpose, hold themselves while bearing down on the audience with some truths that cut too close to the bone. Big Heart, despite what its title may elude, does not in anyway deal with the sympathetic notion well. Any thought of maternal love or instinct is by the end of this intense theatrical ride, disbanded.
The spoils of the land, the stripping of the domestic, the clash of corporation and the commodity of us. These are all underpinning themes that simmer away, with the young characters reaching adolescence that heady mix of rebellion and hormones takes control leading them to each seek their own truths. These universally pivot around notions of family, home, culture and belonging. Some successful in their pursuit, others not so much, the ending felt as much resolved as it did an open wound, left to fester in the hot Australian summer. Though for all success, this performance felt as if it was robbed of the time necessary for each of these subplots to fully develop. We are left with just a taste, not the full palate. Whether or not this was a deliberate choice, remains unknown.
The telltale physicality associated with the work of Dee & Cornelius is here found, it’s rigorous bordering on the choreographic, and makes a welcome addition to this performance. With the narratives episodic fashion these two elements work together perfectly but could be further developed. In fact, with such a naturalistic approach adopted going further within these mise en scènes could be argued as necessary for the work to hit just that little harder.
Production values are high, great use of colour is present throughout. From rich shades of red and pink in opening scenes through to the more dulcet shades of grey. The attention to detail shows that the production team have taken everything into consideration and opted to play a supporting role to the narrative.
It’s a careful play here, between metaphors that are at times blatant and at others, subtle. A steady rhythm found and established early, contemporary themes, the kind of reflection and pause that only comes after much time chipping away at the world which surrounds. It holds a mirror up to us and our nations ‘generous spirit’, leaving both squirming uncomfortably. What we will possibly find with this work though, is that a discussion surrounding it will begin to emerge, and that’s not often the case with theatre.
If it remains steadfast and current or slips into obscurity is not here up to the creative team, but the ability of our country to deal with the pressing issues, here and now. A test of our ability to collectively move forward in increasingly uncertain times. It’s a simmering work, but does it ever come to the boil? See it for yourself, Big Heart is a decent piece of theatre and well worth the ticket price.
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