Performing Lines Production presented by State Theatre Company of SA. Dunstan Theatre. 6 Sep 2022
Evonne Goolagong stands tall in Australian history. As a luminous tennis talent, she remains a household name. Perchance she is the most beloved of all tennis players.
Hence, she deserves the highest of laudatory plaudits and, indeed, a stage play is not a bad idea.
Andrea James has made an extremely brave attempt at pulling this off, creating a stage work set largely on a moveable tennis court and, with set and costume designer, mounting it with a secondary population of audience in traverse seating on stage as grandstand viewers. It is great fun.
A big illuminated tennis net straddles the stage and an umpire’s chair whence the child Evonne, throws lines into an invisible pond and hauls out invisible fish, while rhapsodising about rustic life in Barellan, the NSW country town in which she grew up. The family home was fortuitously beside the town’s tennis courts. Her big and rowdy family is introduced bouncing around in the family car. This is achieved largely in exaggerated mime and, with the staccato narrative line and merry soundscape, one is forgiven for thinking it is a theatre production for young people . Thereafter, a high-energy production has the audience wondering if it is a bio-play or a musical. It is a multi-genre phenomenon in which tennis training and games are choreographic operations, the cast demonstrating pretty impressive ballet skills.
There is plenty of light comedy, but the script also pauses for some rather original didacticism. A lecture on tennis rules is as novel as it is probably unnecessary. But the playwright has tried to cover all the territory: a family story, a romance, a tale of exploitation, racism, and the highs and lows of the international tennis circuit. Gail Priest’s sound design swings along with all of this, illustratively versatile. The production lacks nothing in verve and good spirits. And the cast charms, albeit Lincoln Elliot struggles to sound English as Roger Cawley. The depiction of Margaret Court as the “giant” of tennis brings a hearty laugh. Yet, despite all the triumphs of Goolagong's mighty career, there is just such sadness at the way she was parted from her family. They were different times, those triumphant years. This comes home potently.
While Ella Ferris stands tall in the role of Evonne, it is Kirk Page who steals the show in an array of characterisations: from tough coach, Mr Edwards, to a trissy gay cameo. He is an exceptionally arresting actor. Jax Compton warms the heart as mum and gives mirth in male drag as John Newcomb while Katina Olsen’s balletic beauty shows why her name is also on the choreographic credits with Vicki van Hout.
Sunshine Super Girl is light, lively theatre which weaves a very special Australian story and, let’s face it, any excuse to celebrate Evonne Goolagong is a good thing.
Samela Harris
When: 6 to 17 Sep
Where: Dunstan Playhouse
Bookings: premier.ticketek.com.au
