Smother - Melbourne Fringe Festival (2024)
Directed by Ruby Rees. Written by Zadie Kennedy McCracken. Produced By ZKM Productions
A fantastic insight in contemporary non-naturalistic performance, and a brilliant introduction to emerging Australian talent
Reviewed by Rachael Vassallo
Explosives Factory - Rear Laneway 67 Inkerman Street, St Kilda Dates: 1-5 October
A non-naturalistic work offered by Theatre Works for the Melbourne Fringe Festival, Smother is an exemplary example of the emerging trends in Australian contemporary performance. Written by and starring Zadie Kennedy McCracken, who is responsible for numerous impactful works focusing on love, masculinity and identity, Smother focuses on the complexities of transgender love, particularly the role of love in transgender identity.
Love is the focus, though it is combined with the themes of sex and the process of coming out to those around you, particularly family. McCracken has presented a non-naturalistic script with a complex plot juxtaposed with simplistic language. The script takes full advantage of transformation, with the place changing and the cast of three, including Mccracken alongside Jo Jabalde and Cian Morgan carrying multiple roles. McCracken’s work depicts the complexities of lived experience as a trans youth. It specifically focuses on coming out to hostile parents and navigating trans masculinity in sexual relationships.
As we entered the intimate space that is Theatre Works’ second location, the Explosives Factory, we were greeted with a simple black-box setup. Elements of the play are already in view, but positioned indistinguishably from other unrelated personal items. By allowing the audience to familiarise themselves with the performers and having little to separate reality and unreality, us as the audience see little disconnect from the real world and the environment Smother creates.
Smother is directed by Ruby Rees, whose credits include both live performance and film. Directing non-naturalistic work is challenging, with Rees taking a contemporary approach that takes the script as a standalone piece of charged literature in its own right, and choosing a characterisation that gives opportunity to the audience to immerse their own lived experience within it. Smother at times felt as if the audience was reading a novel and picturing the scenes in their mind.
"...a fantastic insight in contemporary non-naturalistic performance, and a brilliant introduction to emerging Australian talent."
The set, by Ella Campbell was completely bare save a few props. On the rear wall of the stage, three words were written in chalk, alerting us to the crucial moments in the work, particularly regarding themes and emphasised the characters internal monologues in a contemporary manner. Costume design consisted of absurdist and fantastical elements distinguishing it from our daily lives.
Non-naturalistic theatre can be challenging to follow. The show would have benefitted from more discernible ways to differentiate characters and locations. The dialogue was as indistinguishable from my social groups, and making it so realistic is an achievement from McCracken. I welcome having the script on a television next to the stage, as it allows the audience to fully immerse themselves in the dialogue. The play requires your utmost concentration to ensure the plot is understood.
Smother only runs a short five-day season. It is a fantastic insight in contemporary non-naturalistic performance, and a brilliant introduction to emerging Australian talent.
Event Information
Duration: 60 minutes
Age suitability: M
Event warnings: Contains Strobe Lighting, Some Nudity, Moderate Coarse Language, Sudden Loud Noises.
Content warnings: Queerphobia Or Homophobia, Sexual References, Mental Health.
CREDITS
WRITTEN BY Zadie Kennedy McCracken
DIRECTED BY Ruby Rees
SET DESIGNER & ASSOCIATE PRODUCER Ella Campbell
LIGHTING DESIGNER Oliver Ross
STAGE MANAGER Emelyn Armstrong
CAST Zadie Kennedy Mccracken, Jo Jabalde, Cian Morgan
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