Wake in Fright is an extraordinary, at times unexpected and very confronting hour of theatre. It is the astounding physicality, vocal dexterity, sheer commanding stage presence of Zahra Newman that brings the people of this outback town to life.
Taking her all over Australia and far beyond, Emma Dean has been touring Broken Romantics: A Unicorn’s Quest For Love for the past two years, and despite being the alluring cover girl of this year’s festival, there was sadly only two opportunities to see this wonderful show.
Cyril Gély’s script is an engrossing choice of material for such fine actors to showcase their prowess, making for delicious gravy on top of an already delectable feast.
Presenting iconic work is of course duplicitous. On one hand there is the hefty marketing potential of drawing upon a known commodity and on the other, an enormous capacity to disappoint. MTC have succeeded on both fronts.
Wunderage unfolds around, above and beside you, there are no lines of separation. It is a journey taken together. One that will leave you exhilarated, if not a little breathless.
This is without question another ‘born to play’ role for one of this country’s finest performers and genuinely leaves previously versions trailing somewhere far behind.