OBSERVER: After The Flood
After the Flood is a new Australian-Jewish musical by Ari Jacob and Josh Gurgiel, which tells the story of the generation gap between a father, Noah (Simon Starr), and his three adult children.
Like a biblical family a millennium ago, Noah has a vision.
A devastating flood will destroy the world, and Noah must build an ark to save his family.
At first, his children dismiss his prophecy, calling him the “flood whisperer”.
Noah asserts his patriarchal authority.
“Our children are destroying the chains that bind us to our ancestors!” he argues to his wife, Naama (Deborah Conway), who has the thankless task of negotiating peace between her husband and her children.
“Trust your children, trust God, trust me,” she pleads.
Each child faces an existential crisis: his daughter Yafet (Michelle Swersky) is in love with a goyboy (non-Jewish), his son Ham (Eli Faraday) is gay, and his youngest daughter Shem (Amira Cherie) is depressed and possibly suicidal.
Noah dismisses their concerns.
“This life demands painful sacrifices,” he says.
To modern sensibilities, Noah seems to be unravelling.
Given Naama and the children’s legitimate concerns, it’s not always clear why they choose to follow their father’s lead.
Therein lies the dilemma: would you have enough faith to give up everything you have and blindly follow a madman in light of a prophecy?
More a rock opera than a musical, the show uses effortless, tuneful numbers to punctuate the narrative.
Deborah Con-way’s wonderfully powerful vocals are to be expected.
Her co-stars are more than a match for her, and their tight harmonies create a melodious blend.
Fantastic lighting and sound design create a tense atmosphere that heightens apprehension.
A cleverly designed, simple set made from movable frames transforms from home to ark.
In all, an ambitious and worthy new work.
Review by Kathryn Keeble