By Alirio Zavarce. No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability. The Q Theatre. 13 Sep 2014
As a mighty South Aussie girl living in the ACT, it’s not often that I get to see the theatrical offerings of my hometown anymore. So when I got the invitation to review the No Strings Attached production of Sons and Mothers at The Q, I was thrilled to go see what this Adelaide-based theatre company had on offer. And I have to say, this beautifully crafted and delightfully quirky work made me proud as punch to hail from the Festival State.
First premiering in 2012 to rave reviews, the No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability is again taking Sons and Mothers on the road in 2014. Written and co-performed by the multi-talented Venezuelan-Australian, Alirio Zavarce, the play is a sweet, yet powerful ode to the mothers of the accomplished men that make up the theatre company – Duncan Luke, Kym Mackenzie, Ryan Rowland, Ricky Samai, Damien Turbin and Ben Wishart.
Utilising a vast range of media, each man performs their own unique tribute to the women who brought them into the world and loved them, with an incredible range of diversity in both their style of presentation and their personal stories. Miming, guitar solos, live collage, voiceover and interpretive dance; you name a mode of creative output and there was a fair chance it would have appeared at some stage over the course of the production. However, this is not to say the show was chaotic – far from it; it was executed with impeccable timing and restraint.
In turn, each of the performers’ mothers either appear on the projected screen in an intimate pre-recorded interview about their sons with Zavarce, or via photographs for those women who have passed on. But while there was tremendous expression of love and tenderness on both sides of the equation, this was not an exercise in maudlin sentimentality. There was also a great deal of humour, honesty and of course plenty of foibles – a warts and all look at the complex and crucial relationship between not only a mother and her son, but a mother and a child born with a disability.
While briefly telling his own story of his mother and disabled brother at the outset of Sons and Mothers, Zavarce predominantly plays the role of facilitator. Providing spirited musical segues along the way, his passion and energy served to coax and stir up that special something within each of the six outstanding performers. The pacing between each piece was also buoyant, spending just enough time on a subject to make it meaningful but without pushing the point.
In summary, Sons and Mothers really has it all, providing as many giggles as it does heartfelt tears. And best of all, it makes you think and appreciate things profoundly differently. Think about people living with a disability and their capacities and inner worlds. Think about the special roles of mothers, especially your own and those who love their children no matter what. If the show is coming to a theatre near you, put it in the diary as a must-see.
Deborah Hawke
When: 13 to 17 Sep
Where: The Q Theatre
Bookings: theq.net.au
