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The new play, as part of Belvoir’s annual 25A season of plays, is THE ITALIANS, written by Danny Boyle with original concept by Danny Ball and Thomas De Angeli, and directed by Riley Spadaro.
It’s time for the sweet life for Joe. He’s got a successful business, handsome boyfriend and wealthy future in-laws. He’s clawed his way out of the working class and moving up in the world.
His plans for full-blown assimilation take a nasty turn when Joe’s estranged cousin Lua drops by and exposes an enormous family secret. Suddenly, Joe’s on a mission out to South-Western Sydney, to the Italian-Australian, and the place where his family’s story began.
I really enjoyed Boyle’s play and Spadora’s production. There was never a dull moment. The show had a great energy (it was worth bottling!) with all of the talented cast contributing to it. The action was fast paced, and came from all directions, including from behind the audience, and the actors came back and forth through the entrance space. I haven’t seen the downstage space, a very good and intimate performance space, used in a better way.
There was a lot of tongue in cheek humour with even Anthony Albanese and Lady Gaga making appearances.
One could really feel the colourful, uncompromising, feisty Italian temperament in the characters and they occasionally went back to speaking their native tongue. The Italians in the audience, and there were more than a few, loved it.
If you need a bit of a fillip, this is the show to see!
Ticket prices are very reasonable with the one price, $25.
A co-production by Malocchio productions and Bontom, THE ITALIANS is playing downstairs at Belvoir Street until the 6th November 2022.
Production photography by Katherine Griffiths.
