Suzan-Lori Parkes’s play ‘In The Blood’, Belvoir’s B Sharp’s latest production, uses Nathaniel Hawthorne’s literary classic ‘The Scarlet Letter’ as a springboard to the contemporary tale of its of its main character, Hester La Negrita. The play is Hester’s story, the story of a homeless mother bringing up five children, Jabber, Bully, Trouble, Beauty and Baby. Hester falls through the cracks of the welfare system, and in her poverty has to confront sterilisation, hunger, living under a bridge, and rejection. Her dark, strong sense of humour keeps her from going under.

‘In The Blood’ slots in as political, feminist theatre of the strongest kind. Its a tough play about the failings of the American welfare system that even breaks down the spirit of a woman as tough as Hester. Everywhere where Hester turns for help she is let down, manipulated, abused. Her welfare worker wants sexual favours, as does her thundering priest.

It’s heartbreaking stuff no more so than when Hester receives a gentleman caller of sorts. One of her ex partners, and the father of one of her children, arrives. He is dressed smartly, says he is now a successful businessman, and wants to set up home with him. Hester sees a bit of light at the end of her tunnel. Then that bit of light is taken away from her when all her chidren come back from playing to see her. He is no longer interested!

This Queensize production did Park’s powerful play justice. Tanya Denny’s direction was incisive and fast paced right from the start with Hester ‘s kids doing a rap performance. Candy Bowers of the Hip Hop act Sista She was strong as the lead, supported by a good cast. Kim Bowers and artists from the Creative Youth Initiative, established by Mission Australia in 1993 as a way of engaging homeless and at risk youth in creative expression, came up with the sound design.