Alana’s Score: 4 stars
This concept is not a new one: a story with multiple characters whose lives are intricately interconnected in more ways than they realise. This is exactly what Xavier Coy’s newest work, Distorted, explores – ten characters whose stories are intertwined by their yearning for connection.
Across the board, the performances are great, with only one or two missteps. Poppy Lynch and Jack Walton have a lovely chemistry on stage, with Lynch proving particularly watchable. Tristan McKinnon is utterly compelling as a drug-addled businessman, and Emma Louise is another highlight, with a performance full of nuance and depth. Playwright Coy also appears as an actor in the show, and he finds some lovely moments of truthful comedy within his role.
From my understanding, Coy’s script was initially a fragmented nonlinear piece exploring
mental health, without much structure or clear character lines. Director Richard Hilliar and
his team worked hard to piece the 73 scenes together to form one cohesive theatrical show
with ten characters. Hilliar was only partly successful, as the show still feels hugely fragmented and frenetic, in a way that is detrimental to the storytelling. It could do with some more editing in favour of some clarity – we never settle long enough on one story to really connect (which is ironic, seeing as that is what the piece is all about).
Hilliar does have a knack of getting the most out of his actors, and all performances are delivered with truth and heart. His decision to have people moving on and off stage during other scenes keeps the pace of the piece up, which is important for the dynamics of the show.
The simple set design by Hamish Elliot is highly effective and something entirely new for the Old 505 space. Black and white, clean lines and a hint to the interconnecting nature of the story tie it all together.
Distorted explores the universal desire for human connection. In a world where that is threatened on a daily, if not hourly, basis by mass hype around a global pandemic, it is more important than ever to remember we’re all in this together. Be kind, don’t hoard toilet paper, and don’t lose your humanity.
Alana Kaye – Theatre Now
10 – 22 Mar 2020
Venue: The Old 505 Theatre
Theatre Company: Fixed Foot Productions
Duration: N/A
$45 Premium Adults*
$40 Adults
$30 Concession, Industry & Under 30 ‘Pay what you want’ Previews
Tuesday – Saturday 8pmSunday 7pm
By Xavier Coy
Eight people. Eight stories, shattered and rearranged as they try to make sense of themselves. Time moves backwards, leaps forward, runs in parallel. Follow the threads through hope, hilarity and despair to maybe learn something new about yourself at the end.
A bold new play by Xavier Coy, winner of the 2018 NIDA Emerging Artist Award Best Writer at the Sydney Fringe Festival.
