“Directed by Ryan Whitworth-Jones, the production is passionate and energetic, maintaining an energy level which keeps the audience fully engaged.“
Kate Stratford
The Loading Dock Theatre, Qtopia Sydney
Sydney
10-19 October, 2024
Mark Silvestro’s The Queen’s City of the South brings to light some Australian history of which I knew nothing (not surprising, Australian history is so very, very whitewashed). Cooma goal was used in the 1950s as a homosexual prison where inmates were not just routinely humiliated but subjected to cruel “rehabilitation” experiments. Ryan (played by the author) is a local community radio presenter who declares himself as the proudly “out” gay in Cooma. When an attractive stranger arrives in town researching this Cooma Gaol event, Ryan becomes intent on finding out all he can only to have his investigation blocked by secrecy, denial and ignorance.
There is much to unpack in this deceptively simple, somewhat conventional, story line which serves as a MacGuffin to explore the nature and obligations of friendship, of family and of community. Of how we deal with our colonial past, and the generational trauma resulting
from years of violence and abuse. Silvestros’ Ryan is dynamic and vulnerable, unable to really hide the trauma of his experiences in Sydney.
The chemistry with the out-of-towner Lucas (Jack Calver) and local Historical Society secretary Meg (Kath Gordon) makes for a persuasive sense of authenticity and acuity. There are many compelling moments. Ryan’s failure to support long term friend Meg in her time of need because he is enjoying a newfound flirt is a betrayal which cuts deep. That he cannot see this, that he devalues her needs and motives and is confused by her anger is textually profound. That the play spotlights the challenges of rural LGBTQIA+ people is a given, but its message about individual responsibility is equally, if less obviously, omnipresent; for Meg too refuses to deal with her beloved Cooma’s past.
Directed by Ryan Whitworth-Jones, the production is passionate and energetic, maintaining an energy level which keeps the audience fully engaged. Transitions in time and place are swift and efficient; and the designs in lighting (Luna Ng), set (Elle Fitzgerald) and AV (Madeleine Picard) work seamlessly and harmoniously in the intimate space to support the truth-seeking process that is at the core of this production.
The Queen’s City of the South is part of Qtopia’s 2024 season. Qtopia has reclaimed the Darlinghurst space in which the Loading Dock Theatre now resides. Historically, it is a place where police would incarcerate many LGBTQIA+ people and has long been “the site of deep
trauma, pain, embarrassment and fear”. In the newly re-purposed space there are various rooms dedicated to diverse exhibitions covering a range of LGBTQI+ history and experience.
The exhibitions are worth the time to explore, so when arriving, allow yourself an extra half hour to wander, read and view. Or just pop in and have your eyes opened.
Kate Stratford, Theatre Now
