This is a well crafted, robust play, written by Madelaine Nunn, on the terrible subject of child sexual abuse.
Clare Hughes goes solo as Sam, a typical, sensitive, insecure teenage schoolgirl. Her world grows dark when her much loved father is diagnosed with cancer. She is also having issues with her best friend. Sam communicates her distress to her teacher who responds by kissing her on the lips. It soon comes out that he has behaved inappropriately to other students. Will Sam be able to get the school to believe her? Can she mend her relationship with her bestie?I sat in the front row of the intimate Old Fitz theatre, (it seats just 150) and Hughes was compelling, seeing her in the zone for the whole performance (running time 80 minutes). She easily swapped between characters and the (dialogue) exchanges were easily.
Talented director Lucy Clements, Artistic Director of both the New Ghost Theatre Company (NGTC) and the Old Fitz as well as founder of NGTC’s IGNITE Collective initiative, a woman led collective of theatremakers from across Australia, directs with a sure touch. Together with her creative team, set and costume designer Hailley Hunt, composer and sound designer Sam Cheng and lighting designer Luna Ngb, (mentor Veronique Benett), she vividly transports Nunn’s play from the page to the stage.
It’s sad that stories on this subject still have to be told but it is great that it istold with the integrity on display in SITTING, SCREAMING.
A New Ghost Theatre Company production, Madelaine Nunn’s SITTING, SCREAMING, directed by Lucy Clements, is playing the Old Fitz Theatre, 129 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo, until the 5th October 2024.
Bookings : https://www.oldfitztheatre.com.au/sitting-screaming
