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What is reality?

Is it possible that the tale of six fictional characters could be more real than a documentary? This premise is explored in Six Characters in Search of an Author, an adaptation of Italian playwright, Luigi Pirandello’s original 1921 play by Rupert Goold and Ben Power of British theatre company Headlong. Said premise might seem like an attempt to explore a concept on an intellectual level rather than engage the audience emotionally. Rest assured that this is definitely not the case.

A documentary film crew, lead by a Producer (Catherine McCormack), is making a doco-drama about a terminally ill teenage boy who chooses his own “end” through voluntary euthanasia. The thing is it just ain’t gut wrenching enough. Heaven forbid, it seems the story needs to be manipulated. They need more personal testimonies and re-enactments. Enter six unknown characters (they at least knock first) five in black and one little girl in white. They beg the Producer to tell their story which they promise is far more compelling.

The story of the six characters begins with Father (Ian McDiarmid) visiting Stepdaughter (Denise Gough) in a dirty room for her sexual services. Trying to describe the rest of the play would be as futile as trying to describe a David Lynch film. The story unravels like the layers of an onion before the onion finally eats itself. We experience genuine fear and grief and a few priceless self-referential, one liners.

The program notes say that the Pirandello’s idea of an “Author” was probably closer to that of a director. At the time Italian theatre was driven by actors and run by managers. There was no such thing as a director. Knowing the intended meaning of “Author” adds yet another layer to the story. Are these six characters in search of a director who can walk them through their story or are they looking for an author or playwright to create a story with them in it?

Ian McDiarmid deserves special mention as the mysteriously chilling father. You probably know him as The Emperor in Star Wars. His diction is perfectly clear and his performance is utterly compelling as he moves from the funny to the disturbing.

The set design and visuals are startling and surreal, thanks in to the work of Designer Miriam Buether and Video and Projection Designer Lorna Heavey. Video footage from the documentary of the dying teenager is integrated superbly. After the interval, the characters are set against a background of television static while the stage is bare except for an extra-large fish tank that gives off a most eerie blue-green light. Composer and Sound Designer, Adam Cork, has made a score that creeps up on you, suddenly immersing the theatre in loud swirling sound when the play is at its most dramatic.

At its best The Sydney Festival should amaze Australian audiences with work they wouldn’t see otherwise. This play with a script full of twists and a stage production that is extremely innovative and flawlessly executed is such a work. Stop reading this review and get your tickets now!


Headlong Theatre
Six Characters in Search of an Author
by Luigi Pirandello in a new version by Rupert Goold & Ben Power

Directed by Rupert Goold

Venue: York Theatre, Seymour Centre | The University of Sydney, Cnr City Rd and Cleveland St, Chippendale
Preview: January 19 at 8pm
Season: Jan 20, 22–24, 26–30 at 8pm; Jan 23, 24, 27, 30 at 2pm; Jan 31 at 5pm
Duration: 2hrs 40mins, including interval
Tickets: $70 /$60
Bookings: Seymour Theatre Centre 02 9351 7940 | Sydney Festival 1300 668 812 | Ticketmaster 1300 723 038
Web: www.sydneyfestival.org.au/six