REVIEW: Constellations

Constellations - PACT Theatre
Downstairs Theatre, Seymour Centre

It’s night time. The downstairs theatre at the Seymour Centre is transformed into an urban space that could be any city in the world where we find six characters loitering in the shadows.

There is one person cross-legged on the floor, another few leaning against the wall, and another standing at a single microphone. Slowly these urban creatures emerge into the night sky and as the lights go down, one by one they light sparklers and come forward to face the audience.

We are introduced, face to face, with the six performers (or storytellers) of Constellations, a piece that was developed out of the creative powerhouse of PACT Theatre. Originally commissioned in 2005, this is the productions 3rd incarnation and it is no wonder why.

Each of these young performers has a story to tell. They are stories that are humorous tales of living in the city, with moments that delve into the despair that can emerge from living in a metropolis of hurried people. But it’s not just any metropolis – it’s Sydney in the 21st century.

We are introduced to an insomniac who expressively explains the agony of insomnia. “Do you know what it feels like not to sleep for fourteen days straight?” There’s a young Palestinian troubled by family expectations who disapprove of his homosexuality as well as a young Sri Lankan ‘metaphysical footballer’ trying to marry his two loves of sport and art.

Then there are the painful stories of a young ‘coloured’ South African who escapes apartheid and has to deal with the consequences of exile from those she loves. There’s the young Aboriginal boy coming to terms with his identity and there are the brilliant anecdotes of a lesbian living it up in Newtown.

Each of these true stories are inspired by the young performers own experiences and are simply and beautifully intertwined into a performance that is not only relevant but evocative. They never play the victim, delivering the stories with a truth that is disarming, for these six actors are my neighbours and I am delighted they shared such a personal journey with me.



This is the full text version of the review that appeared in The Daily Telegraph.