Draw Two begins in a sparse fashion. Lights gently come up on Riley (Georgia McGinness), standing still. We hear a faint regularly beeping that suggests a medical setting, but then Riley begins talking about standing in line in the supermarket, so we place her there and on she goes with her story.
We learn that Riley’s identical twin, Mia, has recently died, leaving behind a young son, Lucas. When we meet Riley, she’s getting last minute supplies before driving Lucas to her home in Melbourne to become his legal guardian with her girlfriend. While still in line, someone (who doesn’t know Mia has died) mistakes Riley for Mia and Riley… plays along.
Grief is a complicated thing and, to be sure, memory is often a comfort during times of loss. But memory can also be a treacherous place. When Riley and Lucas pull up to her old family home to gather some things, Riley must contend with a myriad of memories, some sweet, some more difficult.
Ishan Vivekanantham’s set design is floor-to-ceiling brown paper, as well as the floor itself. The boxes that a life cut short gets packed into is extended outwards, but there’s a practical element her as well. Throughout the piece, whenever Riley has a moment of reminiscing, we see a projection on the paper or a dust cover. It also serves as place for Riley to project her own living version of Mia, even if just for a spell.
Clare Hennessy’s sound design is sporadic at first, accompanying Lauren Goodfellow’s beautiful projections in a delicate and lovely way, before exerting itself a little more as Riley’s story reaches its climax. “Delicate” can suggest flimsy, but that’s not the case here at all, there’s strength found in all aspects of the storytelling, especially with Georgia’s performance.
Georgia gave a compelling, wonderful performance as Riley, as well as the other characters in Riley’s story. Moments of reflection, absurdity, and teenage dance routines are splendid to watch. For all the stylised aspects of the show, Georgia gives an authentic and moving depiction of grief.
We don’t need the obvious emotive cues to understand that Riley is burdened with her sister’s loss. Her journey through her memories while navigating the practicalities of bringing her nephew home is a story told with heart and grace.
Draw Two
Explosives Factory, Rear Laneway 67 Inkerman Street, St Kilda
Performance: Thursday 18 September 2025
Season continues to 27 September 2025
Information and Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au
Image: Georgia McGinness in Draw Two – photo by Hannah Jennings
Review: June Collins