Something Natural But Very Childish

The Sydney Independent Theatre Company has landed with a bang as the new resident company at The Old Fitz at Woolloomooloo. Their first production in their new home in the theatre under the pub, Something Natural But Very Childish, is bursting with energy. The play is an adaptation of sorts; the writer, Gary Abrahams, weaving it together out of moments from the short stories of modernist writer, Katherine Mansfield. These moments detail the challenges of falling and staying in love for three couples. Director Julie Baz has mounted this production of the play with confidence, and the play flows along seamlessly, a new scene beginning while the previous one is still finishing up – it's a device that keeps the momentum going. All the actors throw themselves into their roles with an unwavering energy, and while many of the characters are particularly theatrical, all the actors do deliver. Carla Nirella steals the show, though, with a nuanced performance as one half of a failing marriage. Indeed, Mrs Brullen is the play's only sympathetic character. The only thing that doesn't quite work is the young love storyline; it's more the fault of play than the performances or direction but it's difficult to resist the desire to throttle Henry as he continuously and earnestly pines over Edna.

The Old Fitzroy Theatre to Saturday 25 May