By Jennifer Beasley.
An innovative reimagining of a classic play updated to a modern setting as a sexual power struggle disintegrates the lives of three people.
Director Harry Haynes, and founder of The Liminal Space, has given creative licence to Miss Julia, the play written in 1888 by August Strindberg, and reinvented theatrical elements that gives this performance an edgy and experimental flare.
This really is a bold and audacious outing, and I commend the creativity and theatricality of this production as without the vibrant minds of Australian theatre we lose the proving ground to push boundaries, and give both audiences, crew and talents the welcoming space to produce ground-breaking works. Here I commend Forty-five Downstairs for hosting this ninety minute show and not allowing fear of the new to colour their theatrical choices.
Updating the storyline from the nineteenth century to a current Melbourne Greek restaurant, allows Haynes to play with the inherent themes of power, sexuality and the cages that confine and shape us. With some alterations to the original story, especially the ending, Haynes follows through on the original naturistic thrust of the play and adds his own vision, with notable changes to the stage setup. There are two areas set aside for actual diners, consuming an actual Greek meal by MasterChef Alumni Conor Curran. I can’t comment on the meal as I did not partake but the actual idea is intriguing, the eight tables holding two couples each, split and balanced either side of the middle ‘stage’ area, a moveable and reshapable rectangular working kitchen tabletop that enforces the notion that this is the end of a busy working evening in a high-pressure environment. The idea itself also echoes the tenets of Greek tragedy, cleverly underscored by Christina (played by the always delightful Isabella Yena) as she yells out in Greek, the references to Aristotle and the ‘Hymn’ (music by Agnes Obel) or spiral dance section midway in the performance from the ensemble as a representation of passion and sex.
The relationship between head chef Christina and sous chef John (a name update from Jean in the original) sets the groundwork for the apparently stable couple. Hard-working and loved up, it seems that their bond is unbreakable. Until Julie/Miss Julia makes her power move. The die is cast and the tragedy unfolds.
The casting of Adam-Jon Fiorentino as John is on point. It is like this role was written for him. An amazing actor, with both screen and stage experience, he sizzles as a mature man grating to claw his way up in the world and will do anything in his power to get there. A strong and driven performance, beautifully balanced by Christina’s slow understanding that John is not what he seems, nor is her ‘friend’, the child/woman Miss Julia, performed by the freshly minted graduate Annalise Gelagotis.
As this was opening night, I was unsure if Gelagotis fully inhabited the role, and it’s a massive role indeed. Instead of a coy and sexualised performance of the nineteen-year-old Miss Julia, utilising sex as a power move on an older man, just because she can, the delivery seems forced, with multiple scenes of yelling and table banging, and few periods of subtle seduction. When Gelagotis does merge into the role, the languid effortlessness of Miss Julia shines, and a peek into the talent that this young actress holds in store, and likely nerves were holding her back. Certainly, one actor to watch out for in the future.
In particular the later scenes between Miss Julia and John as they both expose their mutually exclusive goals as the overhead light beams red (Georgie Wolfe doing a brilliant job with the lighting), and the playful and sexually charge toe kissing scene are both wonderfully done, and worth going to see this alone.
A fascinating examination of class, sex and striving for a better life, and the knife edge we all walk between the outfall from interactions with the wrong people and the impulsive choices we choose to make.
Miss Julia plays at FortyFiveDownstairs, at 7:30pm until 17th August 2025. Dining experience sold separately and seating is at 7pm. Miss Julie » fortyfivedownstairs
Image: Matto Lucas
