OBSERVER: Lazarus, at Theatreworks
In a wonderful production, Lazarus is one man’s heart-rending story of growing up as an indigenous person in Australia.
It is a no-holds-barred insight into the injustices and harm done to indigenous Australians, told plainly, simply and mostly without rancour.
The play is biographical and based on the life of Taungurung Elder Uncle Larry Walsh.
Taken from his mother at the age of two and placed in paternalistic institutions thereafter, Larry suffered physically and emotionally from racist attitudes and abuse but survived through his resilience, spirit and support from his indigenous community.
Written by John Harding, the play depicts Larry’s life across three ages – as a boy, as a man and as an elder.
This classic chronological structure gives the play a strong spine and helps order multiple scenes involving numerous characters.
The language is down-to-earth and beautifully captures time, place and character.
A somewhat didactic finale, however, seems out of place, a single false note in an otherwise masterly piece of writing.
Four actors breathe life into that writing: Nathan Wright (who plays Larry as a boy); Riley Warner (the man); Sermsah Bin Saad (the elder); and Teresa Moore (who plays Larry’s mother among several female characters).
All four give excellent performances with the three male leads, in particular, doing Larry proud in their portrayal of him.
The director, Kamarra Bell-Wykes, does a fantastic job of stage managing the multiple scenes involved and getting strong performances from her four actors.
She is more than ably assisted by the talented production team of Justin Green (set design), Todd Bennett (composer) and Cobie Orger (videographer).
Together the four create a beautiful aesthetic, one that values simplicity and stillness, that infuses the whole show. A classic example of how less is more.
Capturing universal themes through telling one man’s story, Lazarus is a masterpiece of storytelling and a fitting tribute to Larry and the ongoing struggle of indigenous citizens.
Venue: Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda
Dates and times: Until June 6 at 7.30pm
Duration: 80 minutes
Tickets: $25-55
Bookings: eventbrite.com.au/e/lazarus-tickets-1976070504072?aff=oddtdtcreator
Review by Peter Murphy
Pictured: Teresa Moore and Nathan Wright in Lazarus
Photo: Steven Mitchell Wright