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The State, at Theatre Works' Explosives Factory - 80 minutes, without interval

Writer's picture: Alex FirstAlex First

Oh my, what a special kind of subversive offering The State is.

 

In play are democracy and revolution, for this is a huge dig at all that is wrong with Australian politics and, arguably, politics the world over.

 

There are four states controlled by foppish drag king daddies – Which (Mazey O’Reily), What (Rhiannon Bryan), This (Lucy Wong) and That (Jo Cooper).

All are under the thumbnail of their tyrannical Mummy (Henry O’Brien).

 

With a new government just elected, Mummy is out to change the status quo, so calls upon the daddies to come up with fresh ideas.

 

That turns into the bizarre and the gruesome (to say any more would be to give away the surprise/shock).

 

Suffice to say, Mummy continues to ride roughshod over the eager to please daddies.

Society quickly turns to hell in a handbasket.

 

The hospital system is in disarray and one citizen decides to fight back. Flung About, as they are called, takes many wrong turns along the way.

 

They are courted by radical leftists in what is a decidedly off the wall offering – a walk on the wild side.

 

There will be bloodshed.

The State is an amazing theatrical offering … unlike anything I had seen.

 

It is a superb fusion of theatricality, puppetry, costuming and sound and lighting design from a group of highly creative non-binary theatre makers.

 

The concept was borne of the COVID-19 lockdowns.

 

Think phallic puppetry, painted faces, drag, sparkles and acerbic humour.

I couldn’t look away. It is mesmerising and rebellious.

 

I am in awe of what director/writer Marli Jupiter and writer/performer Rhiannon Bryan have created and orchestrated.

 

The actors don’t miss a beat. They are highly accomplished in bringing to life the parodied universe that is the domain of The State. They deliver with aplomb.

 

The 40 puppets are works of outstanding craftsmanship from super talented set, costume and puppet designer Leisl Lucerne-Knight.


Striking throughout the piece is the contrast between stark black and pops of colour. It works a treat.

 

Lara Pollard’s sound design, including redolent sound effects, is inspired.

 

Joe Paradise Lui’s lighting design gives the work greater depth and a conspiratorial feel.

 

With power and passion, The State creators have shone a bright light on the future of our nation, highlighting the control of autocrats.

They pose serious questions about the way forward in what was once considered The Lucky Country.

 

With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to bite … at individuals and businesses, the theme couldn’t be any more timely or troubling.

 

Eighty-minutes without interval, The State is on at Theatre Works’ Explosives Factory until 10th August, 2024.

 

 

 

 

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