FAIR PUNISHMENT
The Brown’s Mart Theatre stage fires up once again, the beloved institution joining forces with local creative biz Business Unusual to present Fair Punishment.
WORDS TIERNEY WHITE
IMAGE CHARLIE BLISS
DIRECTED BY MULTI-award-winning director Susie Dee, the gothic theatre production is based on the translation of the novel La petite fille qui aimait trop les allumettes by Gaëtan Soucy, and adapted by Nicky Fearn and Gail Evans.
A tale of intrigue, revelation, survival and hope, it’s one to satisfy lovers of mystery, thrillers and true crime.
Isolated on a crumbling estate, two siblings live under the control of their authoritarian father, where they speak a language and inhabit a surreal universe of their own imagination. When a cataclysmic event occurs, the two siblings are forced to enter the outside world for the first time, causing their belief system to shatter and expose the startling history of their existence. Fearn and Evans say audiences are in for a ride.
“The novel is an intriguing mystery, where nothing is as it first appears. Surprising revelations occur throughout the story, as you slowly fit the pieces together to discover the truth.”
This compelling production shares one of the oldest theatrical forms rarely seen in theatres these days, with the use of masks.
“The language used in the novel is rich and unusual, though we have adapted the story to be told mostly visually by full face character mask actors, with some text layered in by an unmasked actor,” say Fearn and Evans.
They also note, due to her experience with experimentation, having Susie Dee lead the production was a no-brainer.
“Susie is a great fit … as it is a unique mode of theatre, experimenting with style and form, and undertakes challenging themes which has been the hallmark of Susie’s work to date.”
The second offering in the 2025 Brown’s Mart Theatre season, Fair Punishment offers the chance to see locals share their creative skills in a professional production.
“Local theatre is important to reflect that, even though we are isolated from major capital cities, the work that can be created here is of high quality and often unique,” Fearns and Evans say.
“Darwin is a crucible of diverse cultures that is a unique inspiration point for creating theatre that reflects local experience.”
Fair Punishment will have you on the edge of your seat. Settle in for an immersive experience with visual beauty and mystery, as a strange world inhabited by peculiar characters unfolds.
Fair Punishment
WHEN TUE 13 – SAT 24 MAY (EXC. SUN & MON) | 7PM
AT BROWN’S MART THEATRE
COST $48 | $41 SEN | $24 CONC
INFO brownsmart.com.au
