There aren’t too many stories that have received such critical praise through the forms of a novel, play, and film in such a short time. But in less than a decade Craig Silvey’s Jasper Jones has done it all. Directed by Sam Strong, presented by Queensland Theatre in association with Melbourne Theatre Company, is the story of Jasper Jones.
Set in the small Australian town of Corrigan during the summer of sixty-five, the story of Jasper Jones is told through the eyes of a bookish fourteen-year-old boy, Charlie Butkin. Charlie’s small world gets flipped upside down one night when local trouble maker, Jasper Jones, taps on his window and leads him out to the bush where a horrible murder has occurred. Laura Wishart, a teenage girl in town has been killed. Charlie and Jasper work together to try to solve the case and to find out who committed the murder. As the plot unravels, there is a coming of age tale that unfolds, which is set on the backdrop of heartbreaking drama coupled with small town suburban racism.
As the play opens, we are introduced to our lead actor Nicholas Denton who plays Charlie Butkin. With his matching pyjama ensemble, strappy sandals, and reading glasses, Nicholas looks the part of a dorky fourteen-year-old and acts it too. Instantly Nicholas conveys the nervous energy of a teenager grappling with the awkwardness of his changing body. I had expected the script to be written as a straight drama with the same darkness and tension as the novel. But the script incorporates elements of comedy, playfulness and a childish naivety that keeps the audience invested. Having said that, it did take me a few scenes to adjust to the sometimes slapstick approach in the storytelling. There are still moments of darkness and terrifying scenes that explore death and the effect that Laura’s death has on the boys, as well as the whole town. Shaka Cook plays enigmatic outcast, Jasper Jones, an Aboriginal boy in the small town, who is often used as a scape goat and constantly harassed by the police.
The first thing you notice when watching the performance is the set, designed by Anna Cordingley. It is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before in a theatre performance. There is a semi-circle of houses in the middle of a rotating set that are intricately designed and give you a great sense of the community, era, and setting. The striking trick with the set is that as the houses rotate throughout the performance, it gives an opportunity for the lighting and actors to convey the sun rising or setting as we see time passing. Characters walk out of their homes lighting a cigarette with the houses rotating as they walk into the distance and out of sight. The best use of the set is a scene where Charlie and Jasper are sneaking through town. As they navigate back and forth by the same three moving houses, it makes it look like they’re running through an entire town hopping fences and hiding behind trees. The addition of the police in the middle of the set with their torches searching for the boys gives an astonishing tension to the scenes.
The ensemble cast all give great performances with Charlie’s best mate Jeffrey, played by Hoa Xuande, giving a great comedic performance as he teases his Vietnamese mother with English swear words and attempts to win over the local bullies to earn a chance to play some cricket. Rachel Gordon is also noteworthy as Charlie’s mother, Ruth, who is an evidently troubled woman with clear marital issues and a bad temper to boot. Melanie Zanetti portrays both Laura Wishart as well as her sweet but disturbed younger sister, Eliza Wishart. There are a few scenes where Laura’s ghost reappears in Charlie’s house on the side of the stage that triumphantly terrified the entire theatre. You could hear audience members consoling each other after each fright.
Even with an intermission the story is fast-paced and there is little to no lagging in its telling. There are many aspects of the story that create tension, heartbreak and even hope. Ranging from the troubled marriage of Charlie’s parents and the small town syndromes, teenage young love, or the unfortunate problems of racism and domestic abuse.
It is great to see QPAC supporting the production of Australian stories, especially those concerning indigenous Australians. Like Jasper Jones and The Longest Minute, which played last month at QPAC, these stories are important to the fabric of our society and continue the conversation of racism, gender, and equality within our culture.
Jasper Jones brilliantly captures Australian culture, rituals, and iconic characters, which has seen it go from an award winning novel, film, and theatre experience. I recommend getting a ticket for Jasper Jones at QPAC and experiencing some amazing Australian talent, because this show only runs until August 18th, so get in quick.
28th July - 18th August, 2018
QPAC, Playhouse
Review by: Thomas Harrison