Steve Rodgers’ play King of Pigs is cunningly constructed detailing the domestic abuse suffered by its central character (played by Ella Scott-Lynch) in four different relationships. Clearly this is not the same woman each time, however having the same actress play each female character brings great resonance to the piece. Is Rodgers highlighting the fact that even though the names change and the reasons why differ, male violence against women is a constant social nasty and is inexcusable?. Period.
Like our heroine the men are nameless – this further adds to the appalling statistics found within the program notes. This however does not dehumanise the play, for it focuses hearts and minds on the tragedy that is played out on a daily basis in our city and countless others across the globe. This is an Everywoman tale for us all.
The performances are strongly supported by fine production values. Blazey Best has assembled talented creatives around her for this her first major directing project. Isobel Hudson’s hard edged set has dark and menacing doorways, a central window/mirror reflecting us all just sitting and watching,while rotting mildew on the bottoms of the walls – that under Verity Hampson’s lighting seem to make the situational set ups float. Her blackouts between the vignettes are very well timed – they give just the right amount of time to regroup between scenes. One does not recover till the end of this play. A rhythmic heartbeat lies in compositions by iOTA and Tegan Nicholls’sound design.
Rodgers’ play does not pretend to give answers, but it does give us something positive to cling to in his delightful final scene. He certainly seems to have taken his father’s advice some years ago when he began to write it. He has found hope within a situation that appears hopeless.
There is humour in the play too, though very biting and dark. However it is the drama that hits home and we are asked to ponder behaviour that has been excused or lays unexamined The reflection of I/the audience in that mirror is very profound. You can’t escape it. Men will experience this play in many contrasting ways as the male characters are all too recognisable and who for the most part get off scot-free. But anyone who has suffered abuse will find in The Woman a survivor, albeit still struggling. There too lies great hope.
Further hope can be supplied by donating to the Women & Girls Emergency Centre in Redfern.
Mark G Nagle – Theatre Now
King Of Pigs
Written by Steve Rodgers
Directed by Blazey Best
1 Aug – 1 Sep 2018
Tue – Sat: 8:00 PM
Sun: 5:00 PM
Matinees: Sat 25 Aug & 1 Sep 2PM
Venue: Old Fitz Theatre
Theatre Company: Produced by: Red Line Productions
Duration: N/A
