Above pic : Simon Maiden and Darcy West in TRUE WEST. Pic Prudence Upton
Since the 1960s, Sam Shepard attracted a loyal, like-minded fan base. His early success as a playwright in New York kickstarted his career, winning him an Obie award in 1966 for his three plays, “Chicago”, “Red Cross” and “Icarus’ Mother”. He went on to win 10 more Obie awards. His notable play “Buried Child” won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1979.
Around 1976, Shepard was invited by Bob Dylan to join them and write a film script for the travelling “pilgrim” tour, the “Rolling Thunder Revue”, visiting and playing to select towns in Northern USA. This increased Shepard’s fan base (including me) and produced a wonderful ‘diary’ of the tour called “The Rolling Thunder Logbook”. And a long but interesting movie called, “Reynaldo and Clara”.
Shepard, who died in 2017, was a playwright, an actor (he began acting in films in the 1980s), a director, screenwriter, author and musician (drummer).
He liked to probe the underbelly of American life and to conjure up myths – a time or a mindset that’s long gone – like the true American west. These themes run through his writing.
TRUE WEST is a story of two brothers. Their alcoholic father abandoned them to live in New Mexico (as did Shepard’s).
The play starts as the mother’s house, in the desert, forty miles east of Los Angeles. The cleanly dressed and sharply focused Austin (played by Darcy Kent) is housesitting and watering his mother’s plants while she holidays in Alaska. Austin is enjoying the peace and quiet whilst writing his Hollywood screenplay.
But not for long. His brother Lee arrives to break the peace. Lee (played by Simon Maiden), is a hustler, drinker and parasite. He likes to take control and doesn’t take no for an answer. Austin gives in to Lee’s banter. He is not going to get rid of him.
Austin has a meeting with his Hollywood producer, Saul Kimmer (James Lugton). He has gotten rid of Lee by reluctantly lending him his car keys. Saul has the classic white safari suit with sunglasses, loud shirt, loud everything. He’s excited about the script and the money they’ll make, “a major star. Somebody bankable”.
Lee bursts in with a stolen TV… Lee takes over – plans a golf game with Saul. Lee later sells his cowboy story idea to Saul and Austin is devastated.
The brothers are both confused and lost, leading to some very self destructive behaviour.
Kent and Maiden must be congratulated for their wonderfully energetic and passionate performances. They compliment each other, work well together and generate some very funny interactions, especially when things get wilder.
Lugton is great as the two faced, superficial and greedy producer.
Vanessa Downing is very sweet as ‘mom’. Her entrance near the end of the show into the chaos of her home is a very rich moment. (The audience knew it was coming and loved it).
Director Iain Sinclair did a great job, particularly the outrageous staging needed for the brothers confined to a relatively intimate stage.
The work of the creative team was very effective; lighting by Brockman (day to night, blackouts), sound by Daryl Wallis (wonderful crickets chirping), and 1980s period costumes and set design by Simone Romaniuk.
You can catch TRUE WEST is playing at the Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli, until the 11th October, 2025.
Production photography by Prudence Upton
