THEATRE: SUMMER OF THE SEVENTEENTH DOLL
To state the obvious, Australia in 1953 was a different time. Menzies was prime minister, World War II was a not-so-distant memory, and the arrival of television was still three years away. However, one major similarity between the Australia of the early 50s and today is an atmosphere of change and upheaval. Ties with England were becoming strained, the myth of the outback was being challenged by increasing urbanisation, and former patterns of living demanded to be renegotiated.
Ray Lawler’s Summer of the Seventeenth Doll is a legendary and innovative script that captures the essence of this period, but is unfortunately often reduced to a sombre school history lesson. New Theatre’s production does take a little while to settle into and, as an audience member, you need time to change your pace. However, as the script shifts into gear after interval, this production reveals its surprising power.
Director Rosane McNamara has done an exceptional job of subtely drawing out the grit and resistance of individual characters, and the cast ensure that almost every line conveys as a revelation. It feels fitting to see this remarkable play at a place with the history of New Theatre, and thankfully this production more than lives up to expectations.
Until July 4. New Theatre, 542 King Street, Newtown. $17-28, 1300 306 776 or newtheatre.org.au
