The festering discontent, the now well-documented corruption of politicians and the police force and a young city’s reaction to that oppression make Brisbane in the late 1970s a fertile breeding ground for drama.
Not only is it is a fascinating time to look back on for the lessons it can teach us in this same city today; but also to explore how such excellent music was made under such oppressive conditions.
Beginning life in 2008 as a Backbone Youth Arts commission – writer and director Marcel Dorney (Fractions), was asked to ‘write a script about the experiences of young people in the late 1970s-era Brisbane’ – resulting in Prehistoric.
A coming of age story not only of the characters, but also of the city of Brisbane itself – it follows four young people as they form a punk band and try to find their place in the world; all while living under the spectre of Joh Bjelke-Petersen rule.
The original music is performed live by the actors and it is here and in the rehearsal scenes that the play really shines – this feels authentic; while some of the other scenes struggle to elicit that same sort of connection.
The story also touches on the ‘all my friends are leaving Brisbane’ theme; something that seems to be a continuing trend even today; while a potted history of independent radio station 4ZZZ FM adds another interesting angle.
There is a lot to admire about this production (whose name references the title of the third album from The Saints Prehistoric Sounds) – but in the end unfortunately – the good (and there is some very good) can’t quite outweigh its shortcomings.
Firstly, it feels too long and entire scenes would not have been missed if they had been cut out completely. The introduction to the characters in 1977 is one that seemed unnecessary – given it didn’t really reveal anything the subsequent plot didn’t show, as did the mini-prologue where the ensemble spoke about technology and social media.
Another issue was the mixed up style of the delivery – with actors moving between narrating their actions as they were doing the in third person, to narrating that of others, to straight recital.
In an interview with ABC612 radio – performer Steve Toulmin said Dorney viewed the play as “a bit of an experiment”. Exploring different styles is a good thing – but it is also a process which is often best left in the rehearsal space and not thrown around in hope in front of an audience.
The cast all give solid performances and at times the staging is quite clever – but in all it is the music which leaves the biggest impression. The musical history of the city in that period of time was perhaps best complied in Pig City: From the Saints to Savage Garden by freelance journalist Andrew Stafford. His book showed that sometimes the simple facts can be more engrossing and entertaining than any fiction.
Prehistoric almost feels like a draft of what could become a truly excellent play – but in it’s current state, it lacks focus. The performance did however inspire this reviewer to stay in that time and listen to Prehistoric Sounds straight after the show.
2 and a half stars
Metro Arts The Independents co-presented by Elbow Room
Prehistoric
Written and directed by Marcel Dorney
Performers: Kathryn Marquet, Anthony Standish, Anna Straker and Steve Toulmin
Designer: Madeline Taylor
Original music composition and arrangement by Marcel Dorney with Steve Toulmin
Music consultant: Guy Webster
Metro Arts Theatre (Basement)
November 20 – December 7
This performance contains loud music, swearing or offensive language, adult themes and depicts drug use. This performance is suitable for ages 15+.
