Overview
The Triumphants is the perfect after dinner treat. This slick and imaginative production from Hackman Theatre Best Newcomer Director in 2012, Abigail Greenwood, will have you hooked from go to whoa.
Comprising two solo works; ...And Then You Die from the award-winning Thomas Sainsbury and Nick, written and performed by Renee Lyons, the two pieces are set in contrast, but united by the exploration of the challenges life throws at us. There’s a good dose of black comedy from Debbie Le Valiant and her ego, followed by the inspiring true story of Dunedin lad, Nick Chisholm.
Dowdy shore store assistant Debbie is tired of her meaningless existence. She wants a nice house, a family, a hot body and most of all, to be liked. Meanwhile, she is fighting a not-so-silent battle with the voice in her head, which constantly reminds her of how useless and disgusting she is, especially when she binge eats, which is basically all the time. One day, Debbie decides it’s time to take control. And she’s not going to let anything get in her way. As Debbie, Aidee Walker (Outrageous Fortune, How to Meet Girls From a Distance, The Jono Project) is both engaging and amusing, and uses her fantastic voice to good effect. She transitions with ease from character to character, fleshing them out and pulling you into her story.
After the interval, there’s yet another treat to be had. Renee Lyons does a brilliant job of condensing a story that spans more than a decade into a 50 minute show. Nick is the story of Nick Chisholm, newly reformed alcoholic, whose pastimes include playing rugby and chasing girls with his best mate, Boyd. Just as his life seems to be getting back on track, disaster strikes. He has a stroke mid-game which leaves him suffering from what is known as ‘locked-in syndrome’: being aware of, but unable to communicate with the world. An orderly from the hospital (and wannabe movie star), Soo Young, is the narrator. It’s a story of loyalty and unlikely friendship which is both heart-breaking and heart-warming.
While Aidee Walker is entertaining, Renee Lyons is mesmerising. As in …And Then You Die, the clever use of light and sound in Nick adds dimension to an otherwise minimal set (designed by Jane Hakaria, with sound design by Alistar Deverick). The Loft at Q Theatre is an ideal venue for this production – intimate without being stuffy, and there is a good view from pretty much any seat. Inspirational, moving, black and hilarious, The Triumphants has just the right combination of humour and emotion to leave you feeling warm and satisfied.