There’s little left unsaid about climate change, and few perspectives that haven’t been voiced. Yet the urge artists feel to keep returning to this subject persists, as it should. BRUISED, presented by Follow That Cat, explores how individuals experience and interpret climate change in deeply personal ways, revealing how a crisis that connects us all can still be felt so differently.
Three women from vastly different backgrounds come together to share a meal after a talk given by one of them, who happens to be an astronaut. This character, played by Alinta Carroll, has seen Earth from a perspective that will never be known to most people. Her science-backed warnings and pleas get lost in the noise.
Shirley Van Sanden is an active community member who is concerned with preserving her memories and experiences of living in her homeland, so her family and future generations will know them. The landscape and state of her home have changed and are unrecognisable from what she knew as a child. Without preservation of her memories, there would be nothing left to tell of the place it once was.
Playwright and performer Vivienne Glance plays an avid birdwatcher, who shares this passion with her granddaughter (Emily Jenkins). She shows some measured concern for the changes in birds’ patterns due to climate change, but her fears run much deeper than they seem.
In a dual role, Emily Jenkins plays both the enthusiastic and innocent 8-year-old granddaughter and a 20-something who is harshly disillusioned by the climate conversation, already grieving her future.
Vivienne’s writing balances poetry and realism well. The show’s broader concept of connection is delivered in vignettes delicately directed by Talia Zipper. This contrasts nicely with the pragmatism present in the rest of the scenes, where we see an almost selfishness in how each woman interprets the most pressing or important part of global warming. Perhaps to avoid dragging us too far into the doom and gloom of the topic, these scenes are laced with amusing moments and subtle acting choices that land excellently.
Production designer Megan Mak clearly demonstrates a knack for delivering big impact with minimal pieces. She balances practicality with aesthetics through a gorgeously draped fabric that acts as a screen for Mustafa Al Mahdi’s projections, which softly ease in and out throughout the show. David Stewart delivers some impressive and, at times, unexpected sound design that layers well throughout the piece, mixing environmental sounds with cinematic moments.
BRUISED is a well-rounded production with a very strong cast, solid direction and great design. I do find myself becoming more fatigued with the topic and subject matter. In many ways, I hold the same sentiments as Emily Jenkins’ character. However, the show did prompt me to reflect on my own concerns about our climate emergency. Perhaps my view has been too siloed. BRUISED is the reminder I needed that we are all connected, and our strength lies in holding space for each other’s fears, hopes, and truths.
BRUISED is on at The Blue Room Theatre from 8 – 26 Jul.