This plays with myth and folklore in a way that is invigorating, using it's large, mostly female, ensemble to tell a story about the rejection of "civilised" society and what happens to those who break away. It's not so much a straight telling of Euripides "The Bacchae" as it is a thematic reflection that uses the core ideas in a modern setting, as a small country town finds its young girls disappearing into the Bush, with those remaining behind finding more and more restrictions in place. There's clever choices in Morgan Roses script and in how it builds tension- seeing both from the perspective of the schoolkids seeing their friends slowly disappear, with girls increasingly restricted in the name of safety, and the perspective of the girls in the Bush, giving way to their wilder impulses while never quite certain what their rebellion might mean or what to do next.
Director Luke Rogers creates a flowing intelligent production with precision and care - creating a rich ensemble of performers who blend into a true equal ensemble. The set design by Aislinn King gives a new perspective on the courtyard as a space, giving it a different dimension. Helen Wotjas' costume design creates the two different worlds of the play, showing those left behind in sharp school uniforms while the girls in the woods have pyjamas and casual wear celebrating their freedom.
This is a great launch to Canberra youth theatre's 2021 season, and I'm greatly anticipating what they"ll do in the rest of the year. They've got an ambitious and intriguing season lined up and if they execute the rest as well as they executed this, we'll have a rewarding set of experiences lined up
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