FIRST, DO NO HARM is a powerful and confronting piece of theatre moving through struggling family relationships, confrontations with body identify issues and the devastating consequences of these on mental & physical health, all wrapped in serious moral and ethical dilemmas. This excellent production a collaboration of NIDA and bAKEHOUSE Theatre and Talia M-K is the third and final play in a festival of new writing by NIDA students. Written by Grace Malouf and co-directed by Grace Malouf and Charlie Allanah, the audience were engrossed on opening as we try to come to terms with the story as it unfolds and we are drawn deeper and deeper into the realities of the characters’ lives and decisions.
Kate Bookallil is excellent in her role as the very capable Melissa Annous, a highly respected surgeon in the midst of a campaign to become President of the Australian Medical Association. Her partner, Robert ‘Robbo’ Robertson, played with intensity and ever conflicting emotions by Richard Hilliar, was a once famous Olympic swimmer and has been for many years the home support for the family. Their 19 year old son Alexie, played with deep feeling and authenticity by Josh Merten, is a highly promising swimmer and desperately struggling how to tell his parents a long held secret and desire that will change their lives and plans forever.
When Alexie’s wishing are disclosed his father is disbelieving and horrified and his mother lost and confused. Alexei desperately tries to find a doctor willing to carry out permanent life-altering surgery. One such orthopaedic surgeon is Ian Marney, played with great sincerity and understanding by Shan-Ree Tan, who also just happens to be his mother’s rival in seeking the Presidency position. Barry French plays the rather pompous head of the Ethics committee of the hospital potentially involved in the surgery, and we see yet another side of the issue.
This is no easy theatre with questions and family situations that have no simple answers following one another throughout the play. Who can determine the best course of action – the patient, his parents, psychiatrists, an ethics committee or social norms and pressures?
This is a clever and witty script with some very funny lines to provide a balance with dark side of the story. It confronts us with many issues to be considered in our present society where there are real and important questions of limits to medical ethics and who has the right to decide.
The cast work seamlessly together and the quick changes of set, and lighting design by Theodore Carroll and sound design by Ellie Wilson, all work to make the play move quickly along as the time for decisions and facing the future becomes more urgent.
Highly recommend, FIRST, DO NO HARM is running at KXT on Broadway till July 4th.
Production photography by Laura Elaine
