Kate’s Score: 4 revolutionary ideas
As Fox Mulder once said, “the truth is out there somewhere”. Somewhere in space but not here on earth where, it seems, we are not fond of truths based on facts. A truth isn’t always a fact. But a fact must, in scientific terms, be a truth. We are – all of us – now in a post-truth society where the maintenance of an ideology is more important than the truth. Bertolt Brecht’s play Life of Galileo feels incredibly politically relevant and director Eamon Flack’s vision draws us into a world where facts are threatening to those invested in the status quo. Flack has thrown “period” to the wind, investing this production with a wry contemporary take so that we focus completely not on place and time but on spaces in the mind. It is a vision which relishes Tom Wright’s “concentration” of Brecht’s epic tome. And it works.
Colin Friels is Galileo Galilei – a convincing portrayal of a man who has to pit all his wiles against the establishment just to survive. Peter Carroll shines in his many roles – especially as the very irreligious Cardinal / Pope and the energy on stage certainly lifts with his presence. The ensemble bring a multitude of roles to life, finding character differentiation with a consummate ease and each member nails moments. Vaishnavi Suryaprakash as the struggling, sincere Andrea; Sonia Todd’s University Chancellor trying to balance funding and education; Miranda Parker’s Grand Duchess who slouches onto the stage as a Kardashian-type Grand Duchess and Damien Ryan as the much put upon friend of Galileo. Laura McDonald, Damien Strouthos and Rajan Velu realise students and boyfriends and security guards in amusing and remarkable cameo moments on a set (Zoe Atkinson) which has seen a major reworking of the layout of Belvoir. Sound (Jethro Woodward) and Lighting (Paul Jackson) work marvellously well in the big moments – such as the rock star life which is Rome.
This production is all about constructed realities; about integrity and self-interest; of the freedom to ask, to challenge without fear. It is all here – established power refusing to accept new ideas, entrenched as they are in their privilege and self-righteousness; conflicts of faith; self-interest versus the greater good; the individual and the establishment. There are big ideas and they need enormous energy to play out. Act 1 delivered all that cosmic energy but by Act 2, the actors were running out of power. They seemed tired, and therefore struggled to bring it home. Act 1 may have taken the tide in the affairs of men at the flood but Act 2 saw that flood ebb away. Friels – and others – seemed as defeated in the last half hour by the demands of the size and energy of the play as Galileo was by the system.
As an aside … Belvoir should maybe think of utilising a lot more in-the-round setting. It was far more accessible a production than many.
Kate Stratford – Theatre Now Sydney
Photography Credit: Brett Boardman
Life Of Galileo
By Bertolt Brecht Adapted by Tom Wright
3 Aug – 15 Sep 2019
Tuesday 6.30pm
Wednesday 6.30pm
Thursday 1pm & 7.30pm
Friday 7.30pm
Saturday 2pm & 7.30pm
Sunday 5pm
Previews
7.30pm, 3 August
6.30pm, 4 August
7.30pm, 6 August
Opening Night (invitation only)
7.30pm, 7 August
Post-show Q&A
20 August, directly following the performance
Thursday Matinee
1pm, 22 August
1pm, 29 August
Unwaged Performance
1pm, 5 September
Belvoir Briefing
6.30pm, 25 July
Venue: Belvoir Theatre: Upstairs
Theatre Company: Belvoir Theatre Company
Duration: N/A
“They try to flay you with statistics, whip you with numbers, hide behind the tyranny of mathematics. But I say, nothing’s hidden. Open your eyes.” – Galileo
Brecht’s classic play of truth, lies and science hits the Belvoir stage with the redoubtable Colin Friels as the wily, pugnacious scientist. A portrait of a man who realises the entire system is based on lies – and of his backdown when the forces of money and orthodoxy threaten him.
Has Galileo betrayed science and the future? Or has he just found a more subtle way of speaking truth to power?
This is a classic for good reason – every page has a provocative thought to it, and the drama is pitched perfectly.
It’s also an invigorating guide for how to navigate the age of Trump/Brexit/Putin. At its heart is one of those roles that actors live for. Colin Friels has yearned his whole life to play this part. Don’t miss it.
CAST
Ayeesha Ash
Peter Carroll
Colin Friels
Miranda Parker
Damien Ryan
Damien Strouthos
Vaishnavi Suryaprakash
Sonia Todd
Rajan Velu
TEAM
Set and Costume Designer Zoe Atkinson
Lighting Designer Paul Jackson
Composer and Sound Designer Jethro Woodward
Stage Manager Tanya Leach
Assistant Stage Manager Bronte Schuftan
Ticket Prices
Full Price $65 – $85
Senior $60 – $75
Concession $45 – $65
Previews $49 – $54
Check website for further details
