Night Night review

Perth-based theatre company The Last Great Hunt returned to Melbourne with Night Night, a visually arresting, emotionally resonant piece that speaks volumes without uttering a single word. It is another example of the stunning innovation they bring to their work; in this instance, as we are transported to the vast isolation of Antarctica and probe the depths of human curiosity and connection. A bold, imaginative, and quietly profound story, it further cements The Last Great Hunt as one of Australia’s most inventive and affecting contemporary performing arts makers.

Co-created and directed by Arielle Gray, Luke Kerridge, and Tim Watts, the show stars Gray as Pip, an Antarctic scientist on a quest to uncover the origins of life. Her path takes a surreal turn when she encounters a lone albino penguin, leading to the discovery of a mysterious glowing entity, played brilliantly by Watts' hands. (Yes, his hands).

A clever fusion of live performance and pre-recorded projected backgrounds and scenes creates a layered visual experience. Look left and you’re watching a cinematic spectacle unfold on a screen. Look right and you’re witnessing the behind-the-scenes magic of camera tricks, special effects, and projections happening in real time. Seeing the mechanics doesn’t ruin the illusion; it enhances it. There are moments I’m still trying to figure out how they pulled off despite it occurring in front of my eyes.

The sound design by Claudio is utterly spellbinding, drawing us into an unforgettable odyssey. Ice cracking, blizzards raging, and the stark cold of Antarctica is interwoven with a composition of wonder, awe, and longing. Every second of this adventure is captured with care and nothing ever feels forced. Claudio seems to anticipate our responses before we feel them, and dialling up the intensity in all the right places.

At times, the visuals and sound are so hypnotic, I found myself completely swept away by the moment - so much so that I missed a few key narrative turns and had to mentally piece things together. But even in those gaps, the stirring thread of feeling remained unbroken.

For a story with no spoken words and barely any text, Night Night is remarkably expressive, and a brilliant theatrical achievement from The Last Great Hunt. It took me 90 minutes each way to see this 60-minute show, and I have zero regrets. Night Night is a mesmerising blend of craft and creativity, and I’d make the journey again with no hesitation.

Night Night was performed at Monash University Performing Arts Centre between 23 - 24 May 2025.

 

Image credit: Court McAllister