Josh McNeill's set is anchored in the main reception, practically designed with a desk, stationery, computers, and phones, but the characters make full use of the area under the guidance of Director Rachel Baring. Beyond the imagined walls, pockets of pebbles and flowers add visual texture, breaking the strict realism of the office and giving the stage a layered, theatrical quality. These understated details suggest that life and (most importantly) memories exist outside the confines of this environment, enhancing the audience’s sense of depth and imagination.
Jane Clifton is outstanding as Colleen, a resident of the home whose personality is as colourful as her outfit. She spends her day rambling to Pia about everything under the sun, from Chair Chi to Christmas lunch to her art class, but this chatter masks the loneliness that threatens to engulf her at any moment. Clifton brings a touching vulnerability to Colleen, especially in scenes where she recalls her past with her mother and a long-lost romantic interest.
While Clifton has plenty of lines to remember, often bouncing off herself, Rosemary Johns as Lauren is the complete opposite, yet just as powerful. As Lauren, well into her dementia diagnosis, Johns remains silently present throughout, staring into the distance and interacting with various objects. She is brilliant in simultaneously slipping into the background, moving through the space without you even noticing, while keeping your attention glued to her tenderly nuanced portrayal of a person lost in their own mind.
Occasional interludes see Johns move into a choreographed dance - with some expressive lighting by Tomas Gerasimidis - signalling brief instances of lucidity and remembrance. It would have been enriching for this production to delve further into this and allow the audience to truly feel the isolation and disorientation Lauren experiences.
Rounding out the trio is Melanie Madrigali as the exasperated and stressed employee of Autumn Dale Village. She imbues Pia with patience and compassion, navigating a missing teenage daughter, a divorce, and the daily grind of the office, including abuse from residents’ families and head office, with tense resilience and emotional resonance. Her ability to switch from worried parent, angry spouse, and frazzled caregiver is swift and seamless.
Initially, I wanted more from Korsten’s beautiful script - a climax or big dramatic revelation. But upon reflection, that’s exactly the point. These stories don’t end; they keep going. Lauren’s dementia will continue to progress, Colleen's loneliness will deepen, and Pia’s professional and personal life isn’t suddenly going to improve. This is the reality of these women, and these are their stories. Quiet and constant, they still carry meaning and value.
Are You There? is an intimate exploration of lives lived in complexity, loss, and perseverance. With impressive performances by the ensemble, Korten’s script finds its power in the ordinary, the enduring, and the human. This play reminds us that these women’s lives matter, and their struggles and small triumphs are worth witnessing and honouring.
Show Details
Venue: Theatre Works, 14 Acland St, St. Kilda
Season: until 13 September | 7:30pm
Duration: 80 minutes
Tickets: $52 Full | $41 Concession
Bookings: Theatre Works
Image credit: Hannah Jennings
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