IT’S DARK OUTSIDE

MarksecondimageIT’S DARK OUTSIDE is a charming play from the Perth Theatre Company about the lost and confused thoughts, memories and feelings of an old man in his twilight years.

An old man wanders off from his residence into the surrounding area. It is not explicit if he is at home or in a care facility and whether he wanders off into the surrounding streets and countryside or it is just his mind wandering. This vagueness reflects the confusion of people with the slowly decaying disease of dementia.

There is no dialogue in this play instead the story is conveyed through puppetry, mime, shadows, video and music. This unusual presentation is very effective and the different elements combine in a whimsical and engrossing production. Particularly endearing are the balls of fluff used as drifting and floating symbols of memories and feelings of the old man.

As he wanders around he has various interactions, which may just be fragments of memories from his life, that form a narrative that draws the audience into his world and causes us to care about his welfare and outcome.

The creators and performers are a brilliant and imaginative young trio from the Perth Theatre Company; Arielle Grey (as the old man), Chris Isaacs and Tim Watts as the black clad characters manipulating the various props that interact with the old man.
I recommend IT’S DARK OUTSIDE. It is an original an innovative production. For such a sad topic it is not melancholic but is endearing and captivating.

IT’S DARK OUTSIDE is playing 26th to 29th May at Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres, Parramatta, 30th and 31st May at Casula Powerhouse, Casula and then various locations around the country.