Radiance is the story of three half-sisters drawn back to the North Queensland home of their youth following the death of their mother.
Middle child Mae (Shari Sebbens) has been dutifully looking after the sickly matriarch in her last days, a task that has clearly taken its toll. When their mother finally passes on, the baby of the family, the untamed and animated Nona (Miranda Tapsell), returns home for the funeral (and to potentially claim some of her inheritance). At the same time, eldest sister Cressy (Leah Purcell), a successful opera singer, returns to Australia from her busy European touring schedule to be with her sisters. None of the three know who their fathers are and with their mother now in the ground, it seems some questions are destined to go unanswered.
Non-indigenous playwright Louis Nowra’s 1993 work was released as a film in 1998. Coincidentally, it was the breakthrough role for Deborah Mailman, whose The Sapphires co-stars (Sebbens and Tapsell) appear in this current adaptation. Alongside them is the always-tremendous Purcell, who not only delivers another powerhouse performance, but dons the director’s hat as well.
The unpredictable nature of the stories and secrets exposed throughout this work is highly refreshing. However, the set-up needed in the first half to facilitate the big reveals in the back end leaves the first 45 minutes feeling a little long. Nonetheless, once the pace intensifies there’s no looking back as the sisters hurtle to their final crescendo.
The play’s use of the space in Belvoir’s Upstairs Theatre is effective in its simplicity thanks to Dale Ferguson’s set design depicting the mud flaps of Northern Queensland. Damien Cooper’s lighting design is also highly evocative.
Although dealing with some distressing subject matter, this production is highly watchable, universally relatable and skilfully staged.
3.5/5 stars
Radiance is playing at Belvoir Street Theatre until Sunday February 8.
