Review: MTC's LILITH THE JUNGLE GIRL Goes for the Jugular

Commissioned and presented by Melbourne Theatre Company, the next installment in the Sisters Grimm catalogue, LILITH: THE JUNGLE GIRL, addresses social constructs and perceptions with aplomb...and comedy.

With writer Ash Flanders at the helm as the titular character, the 75 minute play takes us to Holland in 1861 where Dr Charles Penworth has been delivered a wild-child/beast from Borneo. The creature, after living amongst the lions, has been labelled a monster and Dr Penworth is tasked with taming it, surgically or otherwise.

With an underlying commentary on gender fluidity and identification, the role of Dr Charles Penworth is commendably played by Candy Bowers. Penworth is an adorably dim yet passionate doctor and Bowers' transitions in and out of the drama and the comedy is seamless. Her subtle and effortless comedy is a joy to watch.

The cast is complete with Genevieve Giuffre as Helen Travers, the finicky and devoted sidekick to Dr Penworth. Giuffre is delightful in this role and brings some much needed honesty to the only technically female role in the piece. An interesting commentary can be observed in the moment that Travers disagrees with Penworth's declaration of the beast's femininity, declaring that it quite obviously has male genitalia. With little argument, Travers succumbs to the dominant male in the relationship and starts referring to the beast as "she".

Directed by Declan Greene, LILITH: THE JUNGLE GIRL comments on a myriad of relevant social issues including the history of female "hysteria", identity and belonging, refugees and displacement, and more broadly, dominant majorities and figures trying to turn "different" people into someone or something more palatable.

Credit to Emma Valente's whimsical animations, Benjamin Cisterne's spectacular lighting design, and The Sweats exceptional composition and sound design. These three elements of the show juxtaposed the era in which the piece is set perfectly, and reminded the audience of the modern relevance of the content.

LILITH: THE JUNGLE GIRL is another revelation from Sisters Grimm and a wonderful social commentary that we can all learn something from.

LILITH: THE JUNGLE GIRL is playing at Southbank Theatre, The Lawler until Oct 1

http://www.mtc.com.au/plays-and-tickets/season-2016/lilith/

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