Review by Vicky Bobeldyk
Father of three and retired court Justice Roger (Greg Webb) is turning 70 years old and has been dreaming of a lovely little party with his now grown-up family beside him and his devoted wife, Sue (Bronwyn Grannall). Quality time, some cake.. and maybe some balloons. It is a party after all.
Before the children can arrive, the dynamic between Roger and Sue is already under strain as Sue laments an absent husband who prioritised work over his family, then spoiled and doted on the children during his few appearances. Roger on the other hand recalls a slightly callous wife who was all too harsh with the children alienating them when they needed her most.
As the children enter one-by-one we see that these observations are not only appropriate, but they set the undertone for the premise in which they find themselves.
Eldest daughter, Lisa (Sarah Nievandt) arrives in a flurry, accompanied by asylum seeker, Saba Nazari (Nicole Pasquale) demanding the keys to the family holiday house in which to hide her friend from being returned by Border Protection to the notorious detention centre on Nauru.
The only son and divorced born-again Hillsong devotee, Michael (Michael Brennan) arrives demanding the family join him at church and bring their wallets.
Both older siblings are dreading the arrival of the baby of the family, Emily (Molly Bettridge) and her (gasp) female fiancée, Noeline (Megan Geoghegan). Their relationship flies in the face of all Michael and his new-found friends at Hillsong believe in, PLUS, Noeline is the skipper of the Border Protection boat on which Emily serves.
Like all family gatherings, long-held resentments surface, favouritism is revealed, criticism is slung about and sibling injustices of laughing at ill-timed farts and the breaking of sacred Lego packs all rise to the surface with rage-filled arguments stemmed only by an all too familiar ‘yes Dad’ when roused upon. It serves to hold a mirror to our own lives and the petty grievances we hold onto verses the inhumane and life-threatening injustice faced by Saba at the detention centre.
Playwright Williamson is known for his ‘crackling dialogue, perceptive insight and fierce humour’ and Family Values is no different. Director Kristyn Everett and her remarkable cast handle the politically and emotionally charged dialogue with passion and respect for the very real dramas still being played out at our borders.
Family Values runs over two weeks at Kucom Theatre, Snow Wright Court, Andergrove.
Thursday 24 – Saturday 26 Oct at 7:30pm
Sunday 27 Oct (Matinee) at 2pm
Thursday 31 Oct – Saturday 2 Nov at 7:30pm
Tickets at https://events.humanitix.com/family-values
Family Values by David Williamson presented by Kucom Theatre.
Directed by Kristyn Everett
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