An Exploration of Family and Mortality
Laura Wade's Colder Than Here, currently on stage at The Ensemble Theatre in Kirribilli, is a masterclass in finding humour and heart in the face of mortality. This Olivier Award-nominated play, which earned Wade a Critics' Circle Theatre Award, deftly navigates the delicate balance between comedy and tragedy, offering a unique take on family dynamics in crisis.
At the centre of the story is Myra, a woman facing terminal cancer with an almost cheerful pragmatism that stands in stark contrast to her family's varied states of denial and distress. As Myra busies herself with researching eco-friendly coffins and preparing PowerPoint presentations of her funeral wishes, her husband Alec retreats behind his newspaper, while daughters Harriet and Jenna grapple with their own personal demons.
Director Janine Watson has assembled a noteworthy cast to bring Wade's nuanced characters to life. Hannah Waterman shines as Myra, infusing the character with a dry wit and steely determination that makes her final project – fixing her fractured family – both heartbreaking and humorous. Huw Higginson's portrayal of Alec captures the quiet desperation of a man unable to face the impending loss of his wife, while Airlie Dodds and Charlotte Friels as daughters Harriet and Jenna beautifully navigate the complex terrain of sibling rivalry and shared grief.
What sets Colder Than Here apart is its refusal to succumb to maudlin sentimentality. Wade's script finds humour in the most unexpected places, turning Myra's matter-of-fact approach to her own demise into a source of both laughter and profound discomfort. The play's strength lies in its exploration of how different people cope with impending loss, and how those coping mechanisms can both divide and ultimately unite a family.
While the subject matter could easily veer into depressing territory, Colder Than Here remains stubbornly life-affirming. It's a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there's room for laughter, growth, and connection. The play's unflinching look at death serves to highlight the vibrancy of life and the enduring bonds of family, however dysfunctional they may be.
Michael Hankin's set, with its hints of domestic disarray (including the oft-mentioned malfunctioning boiler), serves as a perfect backdrop to the family's emotional turmoil. Genevieve Graham's costumes reflect each characters social calling and state of mind, while Morgan Moroney's lighting design subtly shifts to reflect the changing moods and pace.
Jessica Dunn's original score and sound design, along with Mark Bolotin's video elements, add depth to the production without overshadowing the performances. The inclusion of a dialect coach (Linda Nicholls-Gidley) and movement coach (Tim Dashwood) pays dividends in the authenticity of the performances, allowing the cast to fully inhabit their roles.
At the final blackout, the audience is left understanding that not all 'final wishes' are neatly bundled, along with a renewed appreciation for the complexities of family relationships and the resilience of the human spirit. Colder Than Here is a deeply moving experience, reminding us that in the face of life's greatest challenges, humour and love can be our most powerful tools for healing and acceptance.
Ensemble Theatre
Until 12 Oct 2024
90mins (no interval)
Recommended for ages 14+
More info and tickets: https://www.ensemble.com.au/shows/colder-than-here/
Contains coarse language, adult themes, including references to terminal illness.
Reviewed from Seat G 39.
Comments
Post a Comment