THEATRE: SONGS OF GRACE & REDEMPTION

When this production was staged during the Sydney Fringe Festival its cleverly interwoven stories of desperation, rage and social networking went down well with the critics.  Now back with a run at the Tap Gallery, the audience is introduced to six misfits whose lives unravel over an entertaining and genuinely moving 90 minutes. The cast sensitively navigates the twists and turns of John Donnelly’s intelligently structured script – with standout performances from Louise Pronk as Soley, a darkly funny Icelandic barmaid and Jacqui Livingstone, who handles multiple roles with skill and energy. There is a warm familiarity to the characters and their ability to find hope and humour in their personal tragedies. Shaky sound-design distracts from the generally slick production, but not enough to diminish the well-judged performances of a young and talented ensemble. This play speaks with clarity about modern social dilemma and might even make you think twice before you “poke” someone on Facebook.

Nov 2-20, The Tap Gallery, 278 Palmer Street Darlinghurst, $22-27, tapgallery.org.au