Geoffrey Sykes

SHADES OF LIGHT @ THE HELLENIC ART THEATRE MARRICKVILLE

Sam Cosentino’s play SHADES OF LIGHT is both thought provoking and challenging. The play centres on four characters of different ethnic origin who are thrown together through the tragedy of war. 

In Act 1, each character has a solitary moment on stage presenting a reflective monologue. These monologues are spoken in the original language of each of the four characters; Italian, Vietnamese, Armenian and Farsi – thus emphasising a cultural divide which is later negated by the universal connection of empathy and hope found through their shared experience.

The metaphor of this war torn no-man’s land as a place of displacement and confusion, rang true for me. Anyone who came to Australia as a non-English speaking immigrant would connect strongly to the longing expressed by each character for the familiar and comforting symbols of their homeland …. food, celebrations, family. 

The technique of interspersing the events with foreign dialogue, is a powerful tool for audience introspection as they interpret tone and gesture through their own experiences and memories. Particularly impressive was the performance of Hanh Nyugen who couldn’t speak any English when she arrived in her new country.

SHADES OF LIGHT provides an insight into those of us displaced by circumstances or whilst reminding us of the connections and desires which transcend our differences. 

SHADES OF LIGHT played the Hellenic Art Theatre,, Building 36, Addison Road Community Centre between the 10th an d 12th January, 2020.

Production photography by Anne Habibi and Walk Now productions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published by Geoffrey Sykes

Over 30 professional theatre productions, as writer, producer or director, including La Mama Melbourne, Holden Street Theatre Adelaide, 707 Theatre Redfern Sydney, Tap Gallery Sydney, Teatrul Municipal Bacovia Bacau Romania, Inculise Bucharest Romania,People’s Theatre Sofia Bulgaria, Old Fitzroy Sydney, Art Gallery of NSW, Powerhouse Museum and National Gallery of Canberra. Video programs have been broadcast on ABC, SBS, Foxtel and New Zealand television, and screenings at NSW Art Gallery, National Gallery of Canberra, South Australia Art Gallery, S.H.Erwin Gallery, Holden Theatre Adelaide, Wollongong Art Gallery, Thirroul Excelsior, Project Gallery Wollongong, and other public venues. Commissions by Art Gallery of NSW. Sponsorships by Peabody Energy, IMB Bank, Lawrence Hargrave Centre, Anzac Commemorative Fund. Lecturer in media and communications at University of Western Sydney, University of Wollongong, Notre Dame University and University of New South Wales. Editor of Southern Semiotic Review journal.

One comment

  1. Dear Mr Geoffrey Sykes.

    Thank you kindly for the wonderful article you wrote on ‘Shades of Light’! We appreciate this very much and take our hats off to you!
    Two minor things I should point out in your article ….Farzi is misspelled, it should be Farsi (our Persian actor pointed this out). And the photos need to be credited please – Photos by Amir Habibi & Walk Now Productions.

    Thank you,
    Sam Cosentino (Artistic Director)

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