Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage And Her Children is set amid the breakout of World War II, following the story of Courage and her defiance in pulling her family through the war.
Directed by Eamon Flack, the Belvoir production begins with Mother Courage and her three children, together and content. She gives each child a virtue – silence, wisdom and honesty – which she believes will get them through the war. Her wishful thinking is short-lived as her proclaimed physic ability foretells the death of her children.
Courage, played by Robyn Nevin, enters the ruins with a cart full of commodities that will feed and house her family. From the onset it is easy to see Courage is impartial towards the fighting and will go to great lengths to earn a living. Nevin’s role is flanked with determination and pragmatism and her small, unwavered frame fits Courage well. Nevin has indeed been primed for this role, playing protective matriarch Violet Venable in the Sydney Theatre Company’s production of Suddenly Last Summer earlier this year.
Courage’s eldest boy Eilif (Richard Pyros) is hungry to join the fighting and is easily coerced by the general (Alex Mengle) to leave the comfort of the travelling clan. Swiss Cheese, Courage’s middle child (Tom Conry) is next to enlist but leaves the fighting to his brother.
The wrenching story is mixed with soft ballads performed by several cast members. Composed to new music by Stefan Gregory, Yvette the young town floozy (Paula Arundell) sings beautifully and Anthony Phelan as the chaplain performs a harrowing tale. Lena Cruz is a convincing sergeant and Emele Ugavule, as Courage’s third child Kattrin, is beautifully silent throughout the play.
The large cast works well among the bejewelled cart and other props on the small Belvoir stage. By the end, one of the lights has fallen off the cart, jackets have fallen off hooks and everyone looks worn, but this play wears it well.
4/5 stars
Mother Courage And Her Children is playing at Belvoir St Theatre until Sunday July 26.
