OBSERVER: Truth
The digital world of intrigue and subterfuge, the political machinations of those wanting to control the discourse and the geeks hacking the system resonate through Patricia Cornelius’ s play, Truth, about the life of Julian Assange.
There are five Assanges on stage, (Emily Havea, Thomas Kantor, James O’Connell, Eva Seymour, Eva Rees) all of whom can play other characters when required.
This conceit might have had more impact were they representative of different times in Assange’s life or manifestations of his mental state during those times.
As it is, the play is more a didactic biopic of his life, an apologia of his actions. The drama might have had more effect were it more cognisant of the contradictions and complexity where Assange’s actions are concerned.
The energy of the actors and the timing of their delivery compel the play forward. Their lines intertwine requiring precision. They work together well coordinating the movement of desks and chairs to form the scenes. Not a moment is wasted.
The staging by Susie Dee is what brings to life the malevolence of the digital world we now inhabit.
There are hidden cameras providing different perspectives of the actors. They are seen from a multiplicity of angles.
In this way, the audience becomes both spectator and voyeur. The technical wizardry becomes an integral part of the storytelling; the lighting (Paul Jackson), the video (Meri Blazevski) and sound (Kelly Ryall).
The arc of Cornelius’s narrative does lurch at times as it segues into the life of Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning. Whilst their lives are intertwined with Wikileaks, their stories are worthy of independent analysis. So complex is Assange’s life, it would have been difficult for Cornelius to choose what to include.
However, the injustice, dangers and moral cost of the digital world in which we now live are worthy of examination.
Performance Season: Until March 8
Venue: Malthouse Theatre
Bookings: malthouse.com.au
Review by David Mclean
Pictured: Emily Havea, Thomas Kantor, James O’Connell, Eva Seymour and Eva Rees in Truth. Photo: Pia Johnson

