Small Metal Objects

It is very difficult to describe a show like Back To Back Theatre’s Small Metal Objects. It paints such a vivid and realistic picture of our world that at times it seems to slip between fiction and reality.

The production doesn’t take place in a theatre but rather in the ‘real’ world, with the ferry/train terminal at Circular Quay providing the backdrop for the drama. While sitting in a construction of temporary bleachers, the audience (wearing headphones that connect the audience to actors) watch a simple story unfold amongst members of the general public.

The story (involving a yuppie trying to score some ‘gear’ for a party and the relationship between the two men he is trying to get it from) isn’t what is important, it is the act of watching (and in turn watching the bemused passers by watching in return) that is fascinating.

With Small Metal Objects Back To Back has devised a show about people who may otherwise be invisible to society (disabled, poor, on the fringe) and through presenting it in a real world setting forces us to acknowledge and – possibly empathise with these people. Walking away after the show you find yourself noticing more of the world and people around you, a small indication of the impact of this production.

Just from a staging point of view theatre made wholly within a public space is a daring undertaking. The cast of four (Simon Laherty, Genevieve Morris, Jim Russell and Alan V Watt) are all exceptional, each bringing something very different to the production, their varying levels of disability being both irrelevant and central to the action. The direction of Bruce Gladwin allows the actors the flexibility to move within their ever evolving performance space and the sound design/score by Hugh Covill subtly supports the action.

Don’t miss this one, it is unique, touching and very, very good.