Theatre Review: Darwin's Reptilia

by Charlie Falkner

Director Samantha Young

Photo Credit Phil Erbacher

Belvoir Downstairs Theatre until November 26

Reviewed by Ron Lee, CSP

An Irishman, two New Yorkers and a couple of female bogans walk into a motel...

Darwin's Reptilia has opened at the Belvoir Downstairs Theatre.

Renata (Ainslie McGlynn) is living in New York City when she receives the news that her mother who was living in Darwin has died, and Renata decides to attend the funeral. She recently had a baby with Declan (Danny Ball), a young, opinionated, outspoken Irishman who is not averse to a drink and verbal confrontation, or I could have just typed “young Irishman”.

Renata has written a personal development book and has a lonely, vulnerable, insecure and needy fan. John (Mathew Lee) has had a protected life in New York and he takes the big step to follow Renata, Declan and the baby to Australia.

They check into the palatial Palms Motel in Darwin. Working there are ultra-bogans Bobbi (Leilani Lau) and Flick (Zoe Jensen). Flick and Renata have the same mother but this is the first time that they have met.

Adding to the drama is a crocodile warning. Two Swedish tourists and possibly another man have been taken by the reptiles.

Darwin's Reptilia is a story culture clashes, breaking out of comfort zones and personal physical, attitudinal and emotional liberation, which ties in with the philosophies and guidance in Renata’s book.

Director Samantha Young has taken Charlie Falkner's cleverly and insightfully written script and guided the ideal cast to produce a 90 minute enthralling and entertaining theatrical experience.