Theatre company Sam Productions presented Edward Allan Baker’s 1986 one-act play DOLORES in an intimate studio apartment space on Parramatta Road, Annandale. Entering through an unassuming florist on the main road, up a flight of stairs then into a kitchen framed with chairs, it felt like sneaking into someone else’s home and stepping into their real lives.
Thoughtfulness of venue choice and set design created a homely and warm atmosphere, the perfect illusion of happiness prior to Dolores’ jarring and chaotic arrival one Sunday afternoon. The interaction of Dolores and Sandra played out in a quaint 1980’s-style kitchen with old hot water heater in the far-left corner, straw washing basket, vintage boom box radio and rotary dial phone on set establishing a time gone by.
Played by Millie Samuels, the complex character of Dolores was desperate but not defeated, at times terrifying to watch but maintained a playful streak. Sister Edwina Samuels played an exhausted and defensive Sandra, conflicted between helping Dolores or protecting herself against her own abusive husband.
Sisters in character and in real life, Millie and Edwina Samuels are both established actors passionate about ‘engaging in truthful and meaningful conversation’ through theatre. Dolores represents the devastation of domestic violence, particularly timely with the recent #metoo movement and public outcry against harassment and abuse of power.
Directed by Julia Patey, Sandra and Dolores were rarely stationary, often moving around the space to wash, fold, sit then stand up again nervously, capturing the characters sense of distress and uneasiness. Loud outbursts by Dolores were chillingly contrasted with quiet and reflective retellings of abuse from both childhood and adulthood.
A poignant scene of stillness was a recount of when Dolores was tied up to her bed frame at 8 years old, punished for scratching the dry and painful skin on her legs. Sandra and Dolores initially laugh at the memory then stop, softly spoken and awkward in the mutual realisation of how cruel and disturbing the treatment was.
What is most uncomfortable but important about the play is the lack of justice or resolution for the traumatised characters. In the final scene when Dolores learns her gunshot has killed her abusive husband, Sandra blasts the radio playing ‘You Don’t Own Me’, turns the light off and brushes the hair of Dolores who wails inconsolably. Lights down and music cuts out abruptly.
Sam Productions’ performance of DOLORES was a thoughtful and powerful emotional rollercoaster which delivered a need for urgency in preventing the devastation of generational domestic violence.
DOLORES by Sam Productions took place between 1st-11th March 2018 at an improvised apartment/theatre space on the corner of Johnston Street and Parramatta Road, Annandale.