In Jordan Shea’s KASAMA KITA  it is 1974, and a political uprising that has compromised the safety of millions in the Philippines, brings Nancy, her brother Antero and her best friend Cory to Balmain, Sydney.  They are to train as nurses under the watchful eye of a jaded Matron.

Nancv is the only one of the trio who sticks to the plan and becomes so proficient that she is soon selected to sit on one of the  Hospital’s Boards.

Antero and Cory find working at the Balmain Hospital too stifling. They love the much more relaxed lifestyle that they find in the harbour city. Antero decides to go by the name Terry. He is finally able to explore his gay sexuality. Cory loves the freedom, enjoys staying out  late partying, and experiments with recreational drugs.

For Nancy, her best friend’s decision to go ‘awol’ is  a bitter pill to swallow’ as she assured her family that she would make sure to look after her and tell them if there are any problems. She has to accept there’s nothing she can do.

Act 2 of the play takes place over forty years later with the lives of all three characters having dramatically changed.

Jordan Shea’s play is well written though I did wonder why there had to be such a huge time gap between the Nancy, Cory and Antero we meet at the play’s beginning and the same trio  we meet over forty years later at the commencement of Act 2.

Erin Taylor’s production is tautly directed.  The performances were good; Kenneth Moraleda played Antero, Monica Sayers played Nancy, Teresa Tate Britten played Cory, Kip Chapman played Daryl, Thomas and a dealer and Jude Gibson played Matron and bar owner Jude Gibson.

Summing up. KASMA KITA has an important story to tell. It’s worth noting this statistic, that migrants from the Philippines make up the third largest im migrant group from Asia behind only India and China.

Also worth noting is that even though the play had a serious subject there was plenty of humour and vibrancy in the play as it was performed.

Jordan Shea’s KASAMA KITA is playing downstairs at Belvoir Street until Saturday 7th December, 2019.