Grief is a gnarly beast. In A Little Piece of Ash, Megan Wilding’s first full length play, her central character, 20-something Jedda, is dealing with almost unbearable pain due to the loss of her mother, Lily. Hers is a messy grief, fuelled by anger and guilt. And living off country only appears to add to her feeling of isolation.
Wilding, a Gamilaroi artist, directs this world premiere of her play in the 90-seat theatre in the heart of the Cross. She also plays Lily.
Wilding, for me, was the best thing about Belvoir’s 2017 revival of The Rover and her lead performance in last year’s Blackie Blackie Brown at the STC made it a must-see production. Here playing opposite Stephanie Somerville as Jedda (in her Sydney theatre debut) and portraying a character a couple of decades older than herself, she again makes a stunning impact. Never off stage, Lily is living large, even in death and it is easy to understand why she is deeply missed. Sommerville is also effective but Jedda is not yet the compelling protagonist she needs to be.
Not that I feel this is solely the actor’s fault. In this current version, too much of the writing focusses on Jedda’s interactions with a procession of millennial characters attempting (and mostly failing) to be good grief-friends.
These two handers certainly showcase the talents of such emerging performers as Moreblessing Maturure, Toby Blome, Alex Malone and Luke Fewster. And while I recognise I don’t fall into the pertinent demographic, these scenes still feel like table-setting for the climax when Jedda and Lily have their big moment. Oddly, the most affecting contact Jedda has with someone other than Lily is with an uncredited actor in a pre-recorded conversation played during a black out. The male voice we hear turns out to be a relative calling to break the news of her mother’s death. It proves an uncomfortably raw and all too real moment.
There is much to admire here and at the end of this too brief run, the talented writer and team will hopefully be given the opportunity to take this potentially arresting work to the next level.
Veronica Hannon, Theatre Now Sydney
A Little Piece Of Ash
Megan Wilding
12 – 26 APRIL 2019
Tuesdays – Saturday at 7:30pm
5pm on Sunday
Venue: Kings Cross Theatre
Theatre Company: Jackrabbit Theatre
Duration: N/A
JackRabbit Theatre will present the world premiere of Megan Wilding’s A Little Piece of Ash, a story about grief, loss, and the survival of the modern Aboriginal woman, at the Kings Cross Theatre (KXT) from 12th to 26th April.
When Jedda finds out her mother Lilly has died, she’s confused, distraught and alienated. She doesn’t know how to grieve. Smoking and drinking hasn’t helped, and neither have the assortment of friends passing through offering all sorts of mismatched advice.
Her grieving is hindered as Jedda feels Lilly is there with her, following her, talking to her, so it doesn’t feel like she’s really gone. Soon Jedda realises it’s time to confront the figure following her; to deal with Lilly face-to-face.
Produced by JackRabbit Theatre
Writer and Director Megan Wilding
Assistant Director Lincoln Vickery
Producers Charlie Falkner and Andreas Lohmeyer
Designer Ella Butler
Cast Stephanie Sommerville, Megan Wilding, Toby Blome, Moreblessing Maturure, Alex Malone and Luke Fewster.
Ticket Prices
Adult $40 | Concession $35 | $20 for Under 30s (Thursday events)
