There’s nothing dry about Water at Black Swan Theatre

THERE is nothing dry about Black Swan Theatre’s Water which is holding its world premier at the State Theatre Perth.

Sad, funny and sometimes shocking, it involves three situations – politician Peter is celebrating his birthday at his WA island holiday home in the not too distant future and the water is running out.

When his daughter arrives home with an uninvited guest, it is clear the guest is not there to celebrate Peter’s birthday or his controversial immigration policies.

In 1921, an elderly Australian couple are detained on Ellis Island while trying to start a new life in America and as they are interrogated, it is revealed they have fled a savage drought in Australia.

And in 1915, we discover a dark secret in Queensland.

Water is a play about two key issues – immigration and the environment.

It explores three families united by stories of immigration and transportation and among a host of questions asks the audience if and how we might be judged by our own immigration policies.

Playwright Jane Bodie (The Secret Life of Us) has written a clever and more than watchable play that takes place on a smart set that shifts effortlessly from island holiday home, to detention centre and slave quarters.

She has taken some fairly clear cut issues and filled them with characters that are layered, funny, sad and attractive.

We loved it and the five fine actors, with a special mention going to Richard Maganga in his debut with Black Swan.

And if you are wondering about the location of the WA holiday island, it appears to be Malloy Island in the Blackwood River estuary.

DETAILS

WHAT: Water

WHERE: Studio Underground, State Theatre

WHEN: Until Saturday, May 26