In 1988, the Tasmanian Gay Law Reform Group defied a ban at Salamanca Market that prevented them from having a stall on decriminalising sexual activity between consenting adults. This resulted in over 100 arrests and consequently led to the final push to change the Tasmanian law. Based on personal testimonies, parliamentary transcripts, media reports and archival sources from the people involved, Decent presents a script that is factual and accurate but not stuck in simply retelling the events. In 90 minutes, he finds the most relevant and pivotal moments of this crusade while giving distinctive voices to those we are introduced to, including LGBTQ rights activists Rodney Croome and Nick Toonen and politician Christine Milne, and allowing their personalities to come through.
The ensemble - Ally Fowler, Patrick Livesey, Ben Noble, Claire Sara and Ben Stuart - are in fine form as they portray multiple people and commit to each one with equal conviction and truth, no matter how fleetingly they appear. Noble in particular stands out in his skillful switching from outspoken homophobic hate-sputtering politician to a gay man fighting to just be. Livesey also impresses with his performance of Rodney Croome, demonstrating his courage and vulnerability with some beautifully restrained scenes that pack a huge emotional response.
Peter Blackburn's direction firmly puts the audience in a position to grasp the frustrations, defeats, determination and ultimate success of this community by knowing when to give the dialogue time to breathe, float through the air and hit us in the heart, and when it needs to be rapidly fired out. The constant movement of the cast lets the story gather momentum without overwhelming us with an onslaught of information. The handful of short musical numbers interspersed in the production allows us to collect our thoughts and sit with what we are learning and not feel like we have to move on before we're ready.
Click here for my interview with Campion Decent.
SHOW DETAILS
Venue: Gasworks Arts Park, 21 Graham St, Albert Park
Season: until 1 February | Wed - Sat 9:00pm, Sat 4:00pm
Tickets: $25 Full | $20 Conc
Bookings: Midsumma Festival
Image Credits: Jack Dixon-Gunn
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