Wish is the latest production from Perth Theatre Company, and the first in its new season. Adapted by Actor and Director Humphrey Bower from the Peter Goldsworthy novel of the same name, Wish is a charming yet challenging piece of theatre, which will perhaps leave a few unsuspecting patrons unsettled and uncomfortable.
Wish is the story of John James, or JJ, an Auslan teacher at the local deaf institute and the burgeoning and complicated relationship that develops with Eliza, a private student who he is enlisted to teach sign to. I say complicated relationship because Eliza turns out to be a gorilla, liberated from a medical research laboratory by animal rights academic Clive and his chain-smoking wife Stella.
As I have come to expect from the Perth Theatre Company there was a lovely simplicity and forthrightness to Wish, with no frivolous set dressing to distract from the unconventional love story that unfolded on the stage. With the small cast, only two-three performers, and a minimalist set, the audience’s focus was very much drawn to the words and the signs of the two principal performers Bower and Danielle Micich. Both of whom delivered superb performances, with the former bringing to life a number of distinct characters through subtle shifts in his voice and posture.
I have to admit that I haven’t read Peter Goldsworthy’s novel, so I can’t make comment on what did or didn’t make it into the stage production. Likewise it meant that I had no idea what to expect from Wish, I hadn’t had chance to read up on the story, and the season brochure and programme didn’t shed a lot of light on what was going to happen over the course of the play. So suffice to say I was a little surprised when Eliza, turned out to be a gorilla, and a little unsettled by the relationship between JJ and Eliza especially when that relationship became increasingly sexual. Those scenes in particular made for me uncomfortable viewing; but in many ways that is the role of theatre, to unsettle the audience, to make them ask questions, to spark debate and conversation in the foyer.
Wish is an interesting and engaging work, it is confronting and unsettling at times, but it is also funny and moving. Wish is the kind of play that aims to raise questions and facilitate discussions and I would argue it does this successfully. A brilliant thought-provoking start to Perth Theatre Company’s new season.
For more information and to purchase tickets click HERE
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