Perhaps the oddest performance you may come across on the main stage this year, it is absolutely ridiculous in the best possible way, quick witted, dark and humorous; its black comedy suspended mid-air in a surrealist vision set somewhere in the past but rooted very much in the present.
Part of Neon Next, an initiative of Melbourne Theatre Company, it is the latest love child of Sisters Grim, and it will not disappoint fans of the company. Joining Ash Flanders who somehow befittingly plays Lilith are Candy Bower in the role of the manly doctor Charles Penworth and Genevieve Giuffre as psychopathic Helen Travers, the three of them are powerhouse ensemble, a delight to watch, each finding ways in which bring their own subtle nuances into the performance.
It’s not new material here, in fact it’s the second work presented in Melbourne over recent months that has played with the idea of Lilith at its core, most recently Yarn presented La Mama played with a story somewhat based on the character. But Sisters Grim having taken the Lilith, overhauled her and thrown here into the depths of Holland after being captured in the forest of Borneo, after the pride of lions she called family where killed. It’s a nonsensical narrative, but one which is compelling at the same time, casting choice along with the influence of director Declan Green is a prominent factor and to a degree has made way for some sharp and political satire to infiltrate the performance.
Similarly, it speaks of the times, the young team responsible for the work, have really created something of the here and now. Once again proving the power of theatre and its ability to transgress and push messages in a constructive manner, when in safe hands.
The set is impressive, an intelligent use of lighting and a number of surprise moments adding to the whole effect and experience, the music that underpins the performance blurs your perception of time while the use animation and projection here in this performance, are integrated in a way that adds visual dynamic, though leaving you wanting just a little more of these elements.
Of any criticism to offer up, the work could have possibly been tightened a little more, at times it came across as a little confused. It also does lose traction towards the end and it does not quite reached the level of resonance that it obviously aspired to.
Indeed, this show is not for everyone but for that Melbourne Theatre Company should be commended for taking such a risk in presenting the work. It certainly toes a precarious line between importance and farce, but all together it is a beautiful crafted and magically constructed work that once again proves the worth of Sisters Grim and the prowess of all creatives who have played a part, Lilith: The Jungle Girl is on at The South Bank Theatre until 1st of October for tickets click here
