This was a very difficult play to watch. Because there was just so much suffering in it.
Mr Shepherd is a lonely old man living in a Council hovel. He’s not able to look after himself and sometimes calls out for people on the street to help him. His cries for help have an extra ‘ring’ to them. Mr Shepherd is blind.
The play starts with Mr Shepherd managing to coral a young man off the street for a chat and to make soup for him. His name is Jude.
Jude doesn’t really want to get involved with him but Mr Shepherd is very persuasive. He literally begs him to visit him the same time tomorrow. Jude doesn’t make any promises. He’ll just see how he goes..
Jude goes home to his partner Scott who has dinner ready for him. Jude tells Scott about his afternoon encounter. Scott is livid. Mr Shepherd is known in the area for luring boys and young men into his unit. Scott doesn’t want Jude to visit him again.
The following day Jude visits Mr Shepherd, much against what Scott and common sense would dictate. I am not going to put in any spoilers. You will have to see the play yourself to find out what happens from this point on.
Susan Jordan directs this Australian premiere production with a sure touch. Her set design is modest but effective.
Martin Portus gives a gut wrenching performance as the desperate Mr Shepherd who is very needy and isn’t able to take responsibility for his actions.
Russel Cronin delivers a nervy, edgy performance as Jude, who sadly finds himself entangled in Mr Shepherd’s ‘web’.
Thomas Burt impresses as Jude’s intense, frank partner Scott,
Dale Weseley Johnson-Green plays an anonymous teenager who features in one very brief scene in the play.
Jacinta Frizelle’s lighting and sound design featured some good choices.
Recommended, a Dark Pony and Sydney Fringe production, Gareth Cruikshank’s NONE SO BLIND is playing the Living Room at Erskineville Town Hall until Saturday 28th September 2019.