Dostoevsky – the late, great 19th century Russian novelist – was responsible for some very grim, yet incredibly poignant, tales of the human condition. In amongst his canon of works is the story The Brothers Karamazov, buried within which is a chapter that bristles and sparks with hope. It’s an odd moment in the world of Dostoevsky, a world so often coloured in grey and black and sadness and misery, for this one chapter actually hums as a story within a story. It’s this one hopeful chapter that forms the basis of ThinIce’s latest theatrical masterpiece, The Duel.
Like Dostoevsky, director of The Duel, Matthew Lutton, is also known for his dark vision of the world – creating pieces of theatre that are haunting, confronting and at times incredibly raw. But this new piece, adapted by Sydney Theatre Company associate director Tom Wright (War of the Roses), is being touted as a tale of optimism. It’s also a work that veers closer toward traditional storytelling, with the actors – such as David Lee Smyth – actually telling the tale to the audience.
‘I play an actor who aides in telling the story that surrounds Zosima and the mysterious stranger – the two men who come together to duel,’ Smyth explained to OUTinPerth in between rehearsals for the Sydney leg of the show. ‘I create images and scenes and vignettes and become different characters who help set the scene of Zosima’s life up until the duel.’
For Smyth, it’s the timelessness of the tale which will appeal to audiences the most. ‘I don’t know if you’ve read any Dostoevsky but like all great pieces of art it’s timeless. All these people living in cities, no one talking to each other and they’re all out to gain whatever they can to pass it on to their generations but not looking next door, or even believing that anyone is there to help you and that you have to do it all by yourself. There’s a terrible isolation people put themselves into. It’s the humans’ story.’
The Duel is currently appearing at PICA in Northbridge and will run until July 11.
Scott-Patrick Mitchell
