At What Cost, Belvoir St Theatre, 29 Jan-20 Feb 2022

 

Nathan Maynard's play confronts the nature of Indigenous identity and the internal politics of a small community building up pressure on the protagonist until he makes an irrevocable decision. It's very much a personal story (Maynard is himself very much involved in Aboriginal politics in Tasmania) and there's true pain and passion in this that make it a powerful evening in the theatre, even if the play does feel slightly loaded to express Maynard's side of a complex argument rather than to give a rounded view - it's more a great part for a leading man than it is a fully rounded four person play. 

Luke  Carroll as that leading man is compelling and fascinating throughout, as his character turns to the more paranoiac and protective, angrier and more defensive, he balances his character's indignation with emotional truth that anchors the production. Alex Malone does a lot to make the antagonist more than just a monster, making her twisting, defensive nature on the edge of being understanding before the stack of lies and half-truths collapses towards the end. Ari Maza Long and Sandy Greenwood's roles are slightly underwritten but we do get a sense of their histories with Caroll and Malone, and of why they both end up where they are in the middle between them. 

Isaac Drandic presents a smooth flowing production that builds wonderfully to the climax, using the space to flow the action onwards in a tightly paced show that moves from early geniality to final starkness. Jacob Nash's set design gives the space visual interest, as does Keerthi's realisation of the set and costumes. 

For all that I'm a little tough on the writing here, I did find this a compelling night in the theatre, as well as a presentation of some interesting ideas. But in the end it doesnt' feel so much as a fully rounded play as a great part for an aboriginal actor with three supporting actors doing different levels of lifting to cover for the rest.