Review: The Playground in the Sky

**Picture**: The cast of *The Playground in the Sky*, at the closing curtain call with Director/Producer Virag Dombay (*image credit: Creative Futures Photography*)

The Playground in the Sky is the first show that I have seen that offers a mature reflection on the impacts of natural disasters on young people. It didn’t shy away from the triggering effects of sirens and rainfall, the impact of displacement and loss, and the different ways in which members of families respond to life’s many challenges—including through play, fantasy, dreams, and games. I am so pleased I had the opportunity to see the premiere of this excellent new work by Harry Fritsch (Playwright), and to be yet again impressed by the work of Virag Dombay (Director/Producer, supported by Jack Barrett, Assistant Director).

Many Brisbane residents will see their experiences of the 2022 floods reflected on the stage—from the ‘stink’ of the mud through to the loss of houses, displacement of friends, and destruction of infrastructure. George (Dylan Andrews) and family, including older sister Samantha (Oliva Hunt), are temporarily living in a hotel as their home is no more. But, for George, the bigger loss is that ‘the playground’s gone.’ Hopefully it’s not too much of a spoiler to note that The Playground in the Sky is a magical place where old and new friends can once again play and have fun on the swings, can gain a little perspective on what is happening in the city down below, and can find new beginnings. Over the course of the 60-minute show, the audience sees how the different age and friendship groups each work through the challenges of disruption and trauma—and are encouraged to think about how friends, play, and dreams can all help people of any age work toward a more optimistic future.

The stars of the show are Dylan Andrews (George) and Charlie Holt (Melanie). As the excited audience filters into the Ron Hurley Theatre, a pensive George sits centre-stage, as a hint at Dylan Andrews’ professional performance ahead. And, while Dylan Andrews is excellent throughout, I felt that the ‘duets’ with the talented Charlie Holt (Melanie) were the highlights of the show.

It is clever writing that has produced a work that allows for the different age groups to perform together, as I understand that the actors range in age from 5 to 17. Oliva Hunt (Samantha) was excellent as George’s ‘big sister,’ conveying the challenges of being a teenager who is having to step up when the offstage ‘mum and dad’ are coping with the loss of the family home and are trying to find somewhere new for them all to live. The ‘teenage tribe’ was cleverly portrayed by Oliva Hunt with Samantha’s friends, Tilly (Charlotte Cridland-Walker) and Chaz (Archer King-Mountney)—where one of the lines that got the largest laugh of the afternoon had to be the comment that ‘teenagers love spending time with their own people.’ At the other end of the age spectrum was the charmingly costumed ‘Kitty Kat’ group, with great work by the younger members of the cast: Jade Andrews (Tiger), Lillian Hill (Leopard) and Coco Hughes (Lion).

Although The Playground in the Sky is set in the aftermath of a major natural disaster, this is definitely not a show that is all gloom and doom. I was really impressed by the comedic skills of the actors playing George’s closest friends; Jean Gridasov (Blake) was excellent, with strong clear vocals, and Maia Ironmonger (Bill) made sure that the audience enjoyed several laughs during the show.

Finally, on the different ‘tribes’ portrayed in the play, it was amusing to see that several of the cast members had quick costume changes to perform as the white-hatted ‘players,’ alongside Will Bursaw (A/Ace)—Charlotte Cridland-Walker (Q/Queen), Jade Andrews (D/Dunce), and Archer King-Mountney (K/King). I was amused at the way in which the four ADKQ ‘players’ participated in the fun, but didn’t allow for anyone else to join in their games.

Virag and Room to Play colleagues have attracted talented creatives, including excellent animations and projections (Visual Designer, Lachlan Toft), and professional stage management (Hazel Evans). The set design is deceptively simple, allowing for quick scene changes and providing a great use of the stage—and the costume design worked to great effect in communicating the different ‘tribes,’ such as the Kitty Kat kids (Keely Maya Hall, set and costume designer).

The Backbone Festival has provided a great opportunity for the Room to Play Kids to perform in a marvellous space. I think many older artists have much to learn from these emerging performers who bring a real vitality and enthusiasm to the stage, and who are happy to rise to the challenge of working without microphones. Yes, this is a youth production, which means that there may be an occasional (very rare) pause before a line is spoken, and not every voice can be heard right at the very back of the theatre. But I’m not complaining, as it is great to see the craft of vocal projection on display. However, regarding sound, I liked the audio track and felt that the creative team generated a soundscape that blended the triggering sirens and rains with suitable musical reflections—but, for future shows, I suggest that the soundtrack needs to drop much further into the background when the actors are speaking.

This is a beautifully directed professional ‘young adult’ performance of an excellent piece of new writing. I really do hope that Virag Dombay Productions and Room to Play Kids are able to pursue their dreams of taking The Playground in the Sky on tour in 2025.

Catherine Lawrence

**Picture**: Climbing the magical waterfall to the animated *Playground in the Sky* (image credit: Creative Futures Photography).

Audience Information: The ‘one-night-only,’ premiere performance of The Playground In the Sky was held on 26 October 2024 as part of the Backbone Youth Arts’ Backbone Festival, at The Ron Hurley Theatre, Seven Hills Hub, 28 Tallowwood Street, Seven Hills, QLD, 4170. 60 minutes (no interval). All ages (6+ recommended). Warnings note that the play touches on themes of trauma, natural disasters, mental health illnesses, and death—and includes one rather loud scream. Tickets: $25-$30. Presented by Virag Dombay Productions and Room to Play Kids.

The reviewer attended the Saturday 26th October 2024 performance (3:30pm).

Geoff Lawrence