Retrograde, at Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne

The outrage I felt while watching events unfold here was palpable, just as it should be.

Racism, hatred, misogyny, political dirty dealings – it is all there in giant technicolour, so to speak.

At the centre of proceedings is a young actor still to make it, a man who would go on to become a giant of the screen.

I speak of Sidney Poitier (Donné Ngabo), who would, in time, become the first African American to win the Best Actor Oscar (in 1964 for Lilies of the Field). 

Photos by Sarah Walker

Inspired by fact, Retrograde, by British playwright Ryan Calais Cameron, is set almost a decade earlier in the office of NBC TV heavyweight lawyer Mr Parks (Alan Dale).

The network is keen to sign up Poitier, who has been cast in a telemovie written by Bobby (Josh McConville).

Having appeared in Blackboard Jungle, Potier is still to find regular acting work, even though he just turned down another leading role on principle.

And for Bobby, who is a friend of Poitier’s, getting this movie made is important for his career. 

But from the moment that Poitier enters Mr Parks’ office and meets him for the first time, it is clear that the lawyer has strong racist (and misogynistic) views.

It sets Poitier back on his heels, but worse is to follow, as the McCarthy era rears its ugly head.

Poitier appears to be on an FBI watch list.

Mr Parks’ expects him to denounce communism and with it one of his high-profile friends before NBC is prepared to do business with him.

As talks continue, power shifts between the three players.

There is a great deal at stake, as all have a lot to lose.

With some striking dialogue, Retrograde doesn’t hold back, evocatively depicting a time when African Americans and political undesirables were harshly targeted.

Director Bert LaBonté has done an excellent job sheeting home the impact of that tumultuous period in general and upon Poitier in particular.

The acting is intense and passionate, led from the front by Donné Ngabo who bears a striking similarity to Sidney Poitier.

All come across as heavily invested.

Ngabo is seen as naturalistic and caring, Dale as suitably arrogant and bombastic, while McConville brings with him a ferocity of intent.

The greatest compliment I can pay is that each of the actors morph into the characters they are playing.

They are also able to readily switch gears, generating light and shade, as is required in the production.

Notwithstanding a few dropped lines that Dale delivered, I bought what they were selling, hence the depth of feeling I experienced.

The set and costuming by Zoe Rouse are beautiful throwbacks to a bygone era.

The former incorporates a lift and fly on the wall listening from outside Mr Park’s spacious office. Both nice touches.

The picture though wouldn’t be complete without impressive sound and lighting design from Jethro Woodward and Rachel Lee respectively.

Retrograde works away at our psyches, inhabiting our souls with the injustices being championed.

Mind you, I couldn’t help questioning whether we have taken to heart lessons learned from those intolerant times. Is the world in any better shape today?

Ninety minutes without interval, Retrograde is on in Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne until 27^th June, 2026.