A play that’s anything but spineless

Romantic comedies tend to fit a certain prescriptive mould, and even when there’s a conscious effort to make the central couple more diverse, it rarely factors in people with a physical or mental disability. Jellyfish by Ben Weatherill is different.

Weatherill wanted to tell a story about someone with a learning disability without making that disability the focus, or having the play be preachy and virtuous. The British playwright did some research, consulted relevant organisations and then wrote Jellyfish with the central character, Kelly, being a young woman with Down syndrome.

Jellyfish is currently playing at the New Theatre and is receiving high praise for its story and production.

Kelly is played by Audrey O’Connor, an actor with Down syndrome. Kelly is vivacious, confident, in love with life, the sea, and Neil (Joseph Tanti), who is neurotypical.
Their relationship blossoms around a shared sense of humour, a weakness for hot chips, and intellectual discussions on The Avengers. There is a strong emotional connection and simmering sexuality between them.

Kelly’s mother, Agnes (Siobhan Lawless) feels challenged by her daughter’s burgeoning independence, having always been the protector and decision maker.

Dominic (Daniel Mackenzie) becomes Kelly’s friend after their arranged blind date doesn’t quite work out. Dominic has Asperger syndrome. The character was deliberately created by Weatherill so that he could include interaction between two neurodiverse people — Kelly and Dominic — that didn’t revolve around their disabilities.

It’s a play that is funny, heart-warming, thought-provoking and enlightening.

Until July 1
New Theatre, 542 King St, Newtown
newtheatre.org.au/jellyfish/