Felicitiy’s Score: 4.5/5 Molehills
Rita Kalnejais (BC, Babyteeth) writes of blood, love, and lust, in the electrifying First Love is the Revolution presented by Griffin Theatre company.
Rdeca (Sarah Meacham) is a fox with a heart. Basti (Bardiya McKinnon) is a boy with a piece of cheese. The two meet under moonlight and defy all odds (and oddities of inter-species romance) with their love that transcends the laws of nature. By rising above the necessity of separation dictated by the habits of their respective species, they communicate and realise that they don’t feel as different as they’ve been told they are.
Lee Lewis does not waste a single moment to play with her impressive ensemble – romance, comedy, gore, and bright colours are skilfully moulded into a vibrant and exciting night in the theatre. From Ella Butler’s design, to Trent Suidgeest’s lighting and David Berman’s sound… there is a bright and imaginative playground within which this story breathes and revels in all of its outrageous glory. The set is a luscious green hill of grass, complete with a molehill. We are treated to absurd moments of comedy in cinematic moments in which light and sound transport and enthral us.
Meacham has us enraptured as she perfectly embodies her fox persona. She is complimented in moments with Rebecca Massey as the fox mother, as both match each other in accurate and seamless embodiments of their animal representations. McKinnon is an endearing Basti, his likability skilfully distracting us from the fact that we’re essentially watching a human fall in love and be physically intimate with a fox. Matthew Whittet portrays an aptly boorish father figure, managing to skilfully oppose this near-instantly in a quick costume change as he embodies a nervous and sagacious mole. Amy Hack and Guy Simon, whilst predominantly fox-siblings, are impressive in each of their range of characters. Hack deftly moves between friendly neighbour Gemma and animal cameos – including an aloof and luxurious cat, an empty headed chicken and a fox. Simon shines as a territorial Alsatian – personified as an aggressive, thong-wearing, brute.
In simplicity there is profundity, as proved by the language in Kalnejais’ play. It’s ridiculous and strange and confusing…but I loved it. Portrayed quite literally in the fox den, staying underground and waiting for salvation can mean death. Life is made meaningful in the bravery of risk taking. In abandoning all comforts of uniformity and finding the light. First Love is the Revolution is showing at the SBW Stables Theatre until 14 December.
Felicity Anderson, Theatre Now
1 Nov – 14 Dec 2019
Venue: SBW Stables Theatre
Theatre Company: Rita Kalnejais
Duration: N/A
Ticket Prices:
Full $62
Conc/Preview/Groups 8+ $38
Monday Rush $20
plus booking fee
Preview 1– 5 November
Opening Nights 6 & 7 November
Performance Times
Monday – Friday 7pm
Saturday 2pm & 7pm
Wednesday 4 December 2pm & 7pm
Meet The Artists
Tuesday 12 November
Captioned Performance
Tuesday 3 December
By Rita Kalnejais
This is a play about hunger and desire. It’s Romeo and Juliet pushed to deranged extremes, where the unlikely sweethearts are a 14-year old boy and a young fox with brutal birthrights.
Rdeca’s whole family have fleas. Her mum is pushing her into making her first kill, a snivelling mole, before she’s ready.
Basti is being bullied at school by kids who call him a shrimp. His dad is too busy flirting with the neighbour to be of any real help.
Beneath the light of a full moon, Basti captures Rdeca, and so begins a starcross’d romance between hunter and prey.
Rita Kalnejais (BC, Babyteeth) makes a blood-splattered return from London with a play that’s blisteringly funny, provocative and just plain freaky. First Love is the Revolution is Fantastic Mr Fox if Margaret Atwood wrote the Netflix adaptation.
Director Lee Lewis says expect gore—and lots of it.
Suitable for: Ages 4+ and their families
