REAGAN KELLY at Metro Arts

Written by NIDA alumni Lewis Triston, Reagan Kelly explores the story of the titular character, who was once over-achiever in high school but is now a drunken mess who calls the club of the valley her home. It's a piece which takes you on an emotional rollercoaster but gives you a lot of laughs along the way. It makes you laugh, unleash your inner angst and, most importantly, asks us to reflect on what makes who we are and how we treat other people.

From the moment she opens the show, Emily Carr is unstoppable. And what a powerful opening. From silhouettes to flashy interiors of night-clubs on the projector, to the choreography of props being thrown from one hand to the other... It compliments each other beautifully. Carr shares her heart with us on stage and that in itself, makes the show worth seeing. Jackson McGovern (Hugh) received the most laughs from the audience; with his flamboyant tea rituals and an endless supply of kimonos, as well as Chris Kellett (Ewan), whose character is about as bogan as you can get. My favourite scene was when Kellett and

Elise Grieg (Kristy) were having an argument about the eight bottles of half-full ketchup bottles in the fridge, the two playing so well off of each other for the entire performance.

I thought that Brady Watkins sound design was formidable and I couldn't help but wriggle my toes in my seat whenever the transition music between scenes would come on. Evie McDonough's graphic design fantastically complimented the fast-paced nature of the script and I only wish that I had Nick John Bleeker's videography skills.

The acting is sensational, the direction is spot on and the script is to die for. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Rating: 5 Stars

Reagan Kelly

Written and produced by Lewis Treston

Directed by Tim Hill

Sue Benner Theatre, Metro Arts | 20 March - 30 March 2019