THEATRE REVIEW | Trailer

Gaping pits deepen and bright sparks ignite in NSW Premier's Award-Winning playwright Vanessa Bates' newest play which premiered in Wyong Art House last Thursday.

The production by Tantrum Youth Arts emerged from a partnership between Wyong Shire Council and 'The Wyong Project'. Trailer was inspired by local community initiative - which is a neat thing to remember as the story delves into the difficulties of a small coastal town in desperate need of some more inspired initiative, or as Bates puts it, "sparks", which appear to be increasingly important as the story progresses.

Disappearing girls and their shady fathers, strangely growing sinkholes and the mystery of Matthew Mcconaughey's secret lovechild are just some of the twisting pieces of the puzzle that is 'Trailer' which runs for an hour and a half. The four actors of the piece - Jackson Vaughan, Tallulah Cobban, Angie Diaz and Christopher Saunders - fit their roles comfortably and immerse us in the growing tensions of Jed's family and work relationships as things get stranger on the Wyong train line. Sound designer Jess Blackburn's wonderfully evocative railway soundscapes take us even further, and the simple versatile set quietly lets the focus stay where it's needed and each step of this story is appropriately engaging.

Bates has constructed this piece with swift, witty dialogue, strong competing motifs of loss and hope, and a calming and occasionally edgy sense of reflection. The kind of reflection that one feels riding a quiet train carriage in regional Australia. Which is where the play takes us.

Director Anna Kerrigan and her cast have put the story where it needs to be, and we are presented with the everlasting question of whether to go and seek more or stay and be humble.

After Trailers' first performances in Wyong on May 12 to 14, the show heads to the ATYP in Sydney from Wednesday June 1 to Saturday June 4 for 7pm performances.

To book at ATYP go to www.atyp.com.au or phone 02 9270 2400.

Then Trailer will have its final performances at Civic Playhouse Newcastle, Wednesday June 8 - Saturday June 11 for 8pm performances, Schools Show Thursday June 9 at 11am.

Bookings for Civic Playhouse through Ticketek. Phone 02 4974 2077.

{Image courtesy of Trailer}