Review: FLAME TREES TAKES A TWISTED TURN IN AUSTRALIANA TALE at Depot Theatre

Tales from our backyard need much more service in the broader scene, something Tunks Productions has long given local stories, and Flame Trees is no exception. The return of a young woman to the town she burned to a cinder several years ago is fraught with anger, regret and a huge secret. A tight-knit community is fractured by Tess' defiant return to reconnect with the family she lost in a piece reminiscent in tone and plotline of The Dressmaker.

The Depot Theatre suited the story perfectly, pitching the audience as flies on the wall in Simeon Yialeloglou's direction. Isabel Dickson had all the attitude to carry the character of Tess, and brought the emotion where needed. Ryan Bown and Karina Bracken excelled on stage as her antagonists, with the latter making her character's arc work for her presence. What is a truly intriguing concept could have made much use of more attention to detail and refining down to draw more action out where script slackened the drama. That being said, the earnestness of the performers, Jace Pickard marvellously endearing and Wayne Tunks sincere in his interpretation of mentally-impaired Nathan, was clear to see.

Tunks Productions has produced some on-trend theatre for many years, and deserves much more time and resourcing to really flourish, which hopefully the #istandwiththearts campaign will allow the creative teams.

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