Sitting, Screaming masterfully subverts a narrative that could have fallen into the cliche trap of so many before to give a voice to those unheard and empower the courageous.
Sam’s rage has given way to apathy, she has just stopped caring – stopped caring about her schooling, her friends, her family and most of all herself. Sam is just going through each day, waiting for the day to end, waiting for someone to notice. But when someone does that everything changes and Sam finds a channel for her rage.
Madelaine Nunn has once again shown audiences why she is one of Australia’s finest writers – her ability to imbue her work with pathos, metaphor and emotional depth, while still creating a world grounded in reality, is second to none. Nunn hasn’t just crafted a fully formed and fiercely relatable character, they have created a world full of detail and intense honesty for them to exist in.
Lucy Clements directorial eye is acutely focused on the rollercoaster of emotions that the main character goes through and ensuring that each moment honours their journey and integrity. Clements manoeuvres the work with a heavy hand, which is not at the detriment to the work, but rather steers the work with a focus that elevates not just the script but the production on the whole.
It is utterly impossible to imagine anyone but Clare Hughes performing this work. Hughes doesn’t just bring a spark to the stage, no they bring the full force of a raging forest fire. Not a moment goes by when they are not present and invested in the character and her world – constantly filling the space with a fury that would rival even the most seasoned of performers.
This production is enhanced even more by the breath-taking composition and sound design by Sam Cheng and the haunting lighting design by Luna Ng, both of which draw the audience in and warp time and place to heighten the intensity of the work.
Sitting, Screaming will no doubt have a second life and one that is extremely deserved – a production of this quality shouldn’t fall into the one and done curse of new work, but rather have a chance to delight and inspire audiences far and wide.
Sitting, Screaming
The Old Fitz Theatre, 129 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo
Season continues to 5 October 2024
Information: www.oldfitztheatre.com.au
Image: Clare Hughes – photo by Phil Erbacher
Review: Gavin Roach