La Boite Theatre Company and Critical Stages present a Matrix Theatre Production, Kursk. The play, which won three Matilta awards in 2007 - Best New Australian Play, Best Direction and Best Independent Production, tells the human story behind the ill-fated Russian nuclear submarine.
On 12 August 2000 the Kursk vanished in the Barents Sea during a major naval exercise. The submarine was finally discovered 100 meters beneath the sea with the sailors trapped inside. The rescue mission was unsuccessful and 118 sailors lost their lives. There was a risk of a serious international crisis at the time with suspicions of foreign involvement in the disaster. The reporting of the tragedy was heavily manipulated by the media.
Australian playwright, Sasha Janowicz, travelled to Russia to seek out the truth behind the controversy. The result is an excellent script which translates to a compelling theatre piece in the docudrama style. It tells a story of hope, courage, survival and love in the face of an overwhelming tragedy.
Janowicz draws on his Russian-Polish background and performs multiple roles including the narrator of this story which is clearly personal to him. Janowicz together the Edward Foy and Dirk Hoult, appear as members of the Kurtz crew and subsequent rescue party. Eugene Gilfedder, a regular on the Brisbane stage, delivers an exceptional performance as Admiral Popov, the Commander in charge of the naval exercise and subsequent rescue mission. Admiral Popov struggles to gain control of the rescue mission and, when it fails, feels a personal responsibility for the disaster. Julienne Youngberry delivers a heartfelt performance as Olga, a woman anxiously awaiting the rescue of her sailor husband and then grieving the loss of him. Olga’s presence on stage is linked to the sound of a solo cello - both delicate and strong. Amanda Mitchell also performs multiple roles which collectively represent the women behind the Kursk disaster. She is particularly haunting as the Woman in Black, the inner voice of Admiral Popov and Olga.
Director and Designer Michael Futcher has succeeded in creating a cold, murky and claustrophobic underwater world. A minimalistic set is complimented by an extraordinary lighting design by Jason Glenwright and soundscape by Luke Lickfold. The cast manipulate individual set pieces to maximum effect. A metal bench is used both as a rescue submersible and as the escape hatch of the submarine. Lighting is used to change the appearance of individual set pieces and to illuminate the faces of actors within a theatre of haze. The sounds of the submarine, the water and the wind resonate through the theatre. La Boite’s intimate venue in the round allows the audience to feel as though they are inside the submarine.
This one Act play runs for about 75 minutes and moves at a fast pace keeping the audience engaged. The tension and suspense hold the audience even though the fate of those on board the Kursk is known.
The play is showing at the Roundhouse Theatre as part of a 34 venue national tour until 12 September 2009.
Images Provided Courtesy of La Boite
Image Credit: Amelia Dowd
Images Provided Courtesy of La Boite
Image Credit: Amelia Dowd
