Sunday – Southbank Theatre (VIC)

Written by Anthony Weigh. Directed by Sarah Goodes

Reviewed by Martha "MJ" Latham

Southbank Theatre, The Sumner 16 JAN — 18 FEB 2023 Tickets: https://www.mtc.com.au/plays-and-tickets/whats-on/season-2023/sunday/

5 STARS

I recently had the pleasure of seeing the play Sunday by Anthony Weigh at the Melbourne Theatre Company. The show, which is based on the life of Heide Museum of Modern Art co-founder Sunday Reed, was a captivating and thought-provoking experience.

The cast, led by Nikki Shiels in the role of Sunday, was outstanding. Shiels brought a depth and nuance to the character that made her both relatable, hateable and enigmatic. Matt Day as John Reed, Ratidzo Mambo as Joy, and Josh McConville as Nolan all delivered strong performances that added layers to the complex relationships at the heart of the play. Young newcomer Joshua Tighe also impressed as Sweeney.

The production design was also a standout aspect of the show. Set designer Anna Cordingley created a visually stunning world that effectively transported the audience to the idyllic utopia of Heide, with a forced perspective frame that was very reminiscent of the Southbank Theatre's architecture. The lighting and sound design by Paul Jackson and Jethro Woodward, respectively, added to the immersive experience and helped to create a dreamlike atmosphere.

The creative team, led by director Sarah Goodes, did an excellent job bringing Weigh's script to life. The play delves into the myths and stories that have long fascinated the art world, and the team successfully captured the psychological thriller elements of the script. The piece felt like if Hitchcock had tried Australian Gothic.

As a whole, I found Sunday to be a powerful play that left a lasting impression. It's a Melbourne story about who we are and where we've come from, and it's a perfect way to begin a new conversation. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally charged theatre experience. The team behind this production have done a fantastic job of bringing this story to life, and I look forward to seeing more of their work in the future.

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CAST & CREATIVES MATT DAY John RATIDZO MAMBO Joy JOSH MCCONVILLE Nolan NIKKI SHIELS Sunday JOSHUA TIGHE Sweeney ANTHONY WEIGH Writer SARAH GOODES Director ANNA CORDINGLEY Set Designer HARRIET OXLEY Costume Designer PAUL JACKSON Lighting Designer JETHRO WOODWARD Composer & Sound Designer SONYA SUARES Assistant Director