garçon review

In garçon, wani toaishara invites us into a soulful reflection on growing up Black in Auckland, New Zealand. Drawn from his memory, the production examines the push and pull of youth, its delights, its risks, and the events that mould who we become. With poetic narration and a keen eye for detail, wani blends humour, hardship, and tenderness into something that is personal and moving.

Having won the Australian Poetry Slam championship in 2019, wani has a remarkable gift for language. The way he articulates himself and selects his words is precise and striking, blending expressive storytelling with candid, understated feeling. His captivating style brings to life not only his own journey but also lends unique voices to the supporting figures - real individuals from his life - making each one vivid and unforgettable. Wani takes us deep into his world, and encounter the joys, struggles, and endurance that shaped him.

Gideon Wilonja’s direction delivers considered clarity and fluidity to the performance, guiding wani’s recollections with sensitivity while highlighting the complex layers of identity and circumstance. Paired with Mark Pritchard’s dramaturgy, the final piece is a sharpened work, that allows moments of levity, contemplation, and tension to land naturally and with genuine effect.

This is a riveting show as it stands, though it might have achieved an even bigger impact if wani had been off-script on opening night. This is an intensely intimate and vulnerable tale, yet that connection is occasionally broken due to his gaze dropping to the page, brief silences to find his place, and a restriction in his ability to fully use his body and hands to animate the environment he’s describing. The overall result is the impression that he’s not entirely present, which slightly diminishes the resonance of the story.

Jacqueline Tran’s set design successfully mirrors the emotional landscape being explored, grounding the memories in a space that is safe but charged with quiet unrest. A strong sense of nostalgia is evoked, centred around a solitary park bench surrounded by scattered brown leaves that recall echoes of the past. An unlit lamppost to the side of the bench - a subtle reminder to lost hope - establishes an environment that is calm yet unsettled. Upturned school chairs add to this unease, symbolising wani’s fight to survive and the struggle to endure.

Kris Chainey’s lighting design shifts between focused, direct illumination on wani and warmer, broader washes that bathe the entire stage in a gentle glow. A few dramatic light changes at key moments compel the audience to pause and absorb the weight of wani’s words, heightening the performance.

garçon is a rich portrait of youth, identity, and resilience, presented with honesty and courage. It offers a vital glimpse into stories too often overlooked, and has you thinking about all the voices and stories that rarely get to be on a stage. Despite being on-script, the performance delivers with heart and undeniable strength, standing as an exceptional production.

Show Details

Venue: Northcote Town Hall, 189 High St, Northcote
Season: Until 20 July | Sat 7.30pm, Sun 5pm
Duration: 70 mins
Tickets: $38 Full | $30 Conc 
Bookings: Darebin Arts

Image credit: Darren Gill