Review: Beirut Adrenaline
Beirut Adrenaline packs a powerful punch of self-reflection for its 2016 Sydney audience. Currently playing at Belvoir’s nooky downstairs stage, the play takes audiences back to 1980’s Beirut at the time of the civil war. Centred upon the Daher family, audiences are given a personal snapshot of the painful heartbreak of war as Mona and her brother Zyad escape to Paris leaving behind their loved ones. Considering today’s political climate; there’s a lot this play is saying.
The story shifts between the cities of Paris and Beirut and captures the characters’ struggles to adapt to the new, while aching for the past. Clever stage direction keeps audiences intrigued through scenes of dense dialogue, whilst varying levels of emotional intensity shape the narrative nicely.
Sparing it from becoming too heavy an evening of theatre, the play is as equally captivating comically as it is emotionally. All actors were strong; Neveen Hanna’s powerful and at times confronting performance making her a standout. But a crowd favourite was undoubtedly Delphine Vuagnoux and her kooky portrayal of Zyad’s French girlfriend, who had crowds laughing along as she complained of her new Lebanese diet causing her to gain weight.
It’s director Anna Jahjah’s latest triumph for Theatre Exentrique. Fresh, engaging and relevant. (CW)
Until Aug 14, varied performance times. Belvoir Street Theatre, 18 & 25 Belvoir Street, Surry Hills. $32-$45. Tickets & info: belvoir.com.au
BY CHANTAL WALSH
