THEATRE
Written & performed by Nilaja Sun
At
Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre, Melbourne, until Sep 17, 2017
Reviewer: Kate Herbert
Stars: ****1/2
Review also published in Herald Sun Arts online on Wed Sept 12 2017, & later in print. KH
Nilaja Sun
Magnetic solo performer,
Nilaja Sun, populates the stage with eccentric characters in Pike St., leaving the
audience gaping and cheering her consummate performance of multiple roles.
On Manhattan’s Lower East
Side, Evelyn prepares her American-Puerto Rican family’s rundown apartment for a
hurricane’s onslaught, and this fictional situation comes into sharp relief while
parts of real world USA currently face hurricane devastation.
Evelyn, a former Transit
Authority worker, now studies ‘energy healing’ in a valiant effort to heal her
severely disabled daughter, Candace/Candy, who is immobilised and cannot breathe
without a respirator.
Sun combines bold comedy
with incisive social observation, empathy and her signature open hearted,
engaging style, and we forget that one person plays every role as Sun
transports us to Pike St. with rapid dialogue and deft changes of voice, physicality
and attitude.
With impeccable technique
and split-second timing, Sun transforms from able-bodied Evelyn to the crooked
body of Candy, then to Manny, Evelyn’s muscular but war-damaged brother.
Manny’s cheerful bravado
and heroic, medal-winning achievements mask deep trauma and flashbacks to
horrific episodes during his recent army service.
A comic highlight is Evelyn’s
saucy but stiff-limbed father, Poppy, but his audacity is tempered by grief and
humiliation stemming from his Vietnam War service.
Visitors to Evelyn’s
apartment include ancient Mrs. Appelbaum whose memory fluctuates, seductive and
selfish Migdalia, Poppy’s latest flame, and Manny’s old pal, Tykeen, who
prattles and skips as he tempts the clean-living Manny with dope, caffeine and
fast food.
Separate from, but
intrinsic to the story is Lola, Evelyn’s late mother who was a renowned healer
and who cheerfully leads the audience in ritualistic breathing techniques that expel
sickness and ill-feeling – and, yes, we really feel better!
The rhythm and pace are
frantic as the family members race to storm-proof their world, but one has the
impression that their lives are always teetering on the brink of disaster, even
without the storm.
This comedy-tragedy is
surprising, compelling and moving – but the tragedy is not where we expect it
in Pike St.
By
Kate Herbert
Nilaja Sun
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