Suzie Miller’s new play ‘Dust’ is the perfect combination of a great script, captivating performances, theatrical ingenuity and creative design.
As a city becomes enveloped in a giant red dust storm we meet a variety of characters. Among them; a couple waking from a one night stand, a woman focusing on her last days alive, a man with a troubled step daughter, a curt artist with snappy demands for her taxi driver, a woman stuck in the QANTAS lounge at the airport and a couple struggling to achieve their perfect wedding day.
Each story tells a tale of how people reveal a level of honesty, letting down personal barrier when the routine of life is unexpectedly interrupted. As the characters are suddenly forced to face the big questions of life, respect the other people around them and reveal their true selves – this is a play that suddenly has a lot to say.
The performances are remarkable, most actors take on several roles but at times you’re so absorbed in the storytelling you fail to realise that it’s the same actor who was playing another character in a previous scene. Kelton Pell shows why he’s one of the best actors working today deliver a delicate balance of comedy and drama as the father trying to reach out to his troubled step daughter, while fending off a busy body neighbour. Caroline McKenzie is hilarious as the troublesome neighbour. Benj D’Addario and Alison van Reeken both have incredibly naturalistic performances. The people in this play really feel like people you’ve met, an intriguing cross section of modern society.
The stage design is epic and clever creates the city under siege of wind and red dust. Clever video projections, simple use of fabric and actors just running around with loose pieces of paper, fans and odd objects brings a whole world to life. The show makes the most of its theatrical setting conventions, simple solutions pay off.
Dust is playing at the State Theatre Centre until July 12th.
Graeme Watson
