SEETHrough – Ilbijerri Theatre Company and Malthouse

Overview

I never thought I would say this, but there’s a serious issue with the programming and funding of independent theatre. Or at the very least, that’s the depressing conclusion I came to when leaving the performance of SEETHrough at the Malthouse.

Through the eyes of two young Australian men — one white, one indigenous — the play fails to decide whether it wants to tell a story of cultural disparity or gender expectations. It follows the two as they grow up to face the world in a small town somewhere presumably in the middle of nowhere. They apparently share a strong bond, which is at breaking point when one character, with distractingly strange facial hair, decides to leave for the big smoke. Cue city lights and confusion.

There is a forcibly painful push to explore what it means to be a man, with almost no depth to the monologues or abrupt wrestling scenes. This, combined with clichéd culture contrasts (“I was born an Emu”/“I’m an Aquarius”) sets the pace for a confusing and ultimately clunky show. Between lines about water and blood, the stars, and city lights, the script forces a rather obscure and outdated motif in our face. Over and over again.

While it is important to explore ideas of masculinity in theatre, the structure of this show was so convoluted that it was almost impossible to redeem any actual meaning beyond 'It’s hard being a guy in a small town, but sometimes we go to the barber'. What the production lacked was solid direction. As a devised piece, both performers (Gavin Walters and Colin Kinchela) were not given any substance to their performances and the blocking was awkward and static. The language was full of flowery hyperbole that made it difficult to access exactly what the motivation or meaning behind the dialogue was. The stage was drab, and though there were moments of well-designed lighting, the overall production design was underwhelming.

I was disappointed by the show, and frustrated that it hadn't had further development. What can only be described as a theatrical hot mess, does not bode well for the rest of the Malthouse’s Helium season.

This show is part of Next Wave 2014. For more on the festival, check out our top ten picks.