OBSERVER: The Comeuppance
Gary Abrahams, in his direction of The Comeuppance by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, provides a juxtaposition of lives led vacuously against a backdrop of personal and social trauma.
Ostensibly reconnecting for a class reunion after 20 years, five friends weigh up the cost of their successes and failures. Ursula (AYA), the recluse, doesn’t want to go to the reunion despite the exhortations of Emilio (Khisraw Jones-Shukoor), a successful artist, who still holds a torch for Caitlin (Julia Grace).
Adding to the intensity is Kristina (Tess Masters), an anaesthetist, who brings her cousin Francisco (Kevin Hofbauer), a war veteran.
The front porch on which they meet (Ella Butler) bears out the dilapidation of the lives led.
Amidst the reminiscences of their school years are recriminations, accusations and faux pas charging the respective discussions with a pathos that brings into question the American Dream.
Some have made poor decisions but the plethora of social ailments has beggared them all. Covid, the storming of the capitol, Catholicism, Columbine, striving for success, gender identity, date rape and military service have all led to an exhaustion which is borne out in Fransisco’s seizures, Ursula’s gradual blindness, Caitlin’s lassitude, Kristina’s exhaustion and Emilio’s frustration.
The scope of Jacobs-Jenkin’s play is epic. Whilst the reunion is a common trope, the individual is not just the victim of their own irresponsibility but a toy in the hands of larger forces beyond their ability to master.
The evidence for this is in the presence of the supernatural. Death interposes itself during the course of the play commenting on individuals and outcomes.
Each actor in turn drops character to become the Grim Reaper with suitable reverb on a hand held microphone (Joe Paradise Lui). Naturalism gives way to the beyond.
Jacobs-Jenkins has firm views about the nature of society. His characters, whilst seemingly disingenuous at times, seek solace wherever they can and cannot necessarily be held accountable despite the magnitude of their sins.
Red Stitch Theatre, St Kilda
Until May 25
Bookings: redstitch.net
Review by David McLean