By Elise Hawthorne
It was as if the timing fairies decreed that opening night of the Ensemble Theatre’s latest play be held during Foster Care Week. Luna Gale, a powerful, and at times harrowing play, by American playwright Rebecca Gilman, explores the universal dilemma of what it takes to raise a child (is it ‘a village’ as Hilary Clinton once said?) and whether it’s really possible for someone to be completely rehabilitated after years of drug addiction and trauma.
Luna Gale’s parents are meth-addicted and appear incapable of bringing up a child, while her grandmother wants to raise her with the support of her church. When experienced social worker Caroline Cox is assigned to navigate the case her professionalism is shaken by the complex family dynamics. When difficult decisions must be made will her gut instincts cloud her judgement?
Australian actor, Georgie Parker plays Caroline, the social worker who has to make the difficult decision whether to give custody of baby Luna Gale to her 19 year old meth-addicted parents, put her into temporary foster care or hand her over to her very religious Christian grandmother Cindy played so believably by Michelle Doake, as Cindy says, ” Jesus always gets results.”
Jacob Warner as Peter and Lucy Heffernan as Karlie
Michelle Doake as Cindy
David Whitney as Pastor Jay is exceptional, he brings a master class in acting to the production and I’m sure he moonlights as a fundamental Christian Pastor most Sundays.
Luna’s parents, Lucy Heffernan as Karlie and Jacob Warner as her boyfriend Peter morph seamlessly into two damaged yet likeable souls, doing the best they can with the cards that has been dealt them.
Scott Sheridan as social services bureaucrat Cliff is another high note in the production. He is so officious, and at times he’s the comic relief so sorely needed.
David Whitney as Pastor Jay
Scott Sheridan as Cliff
Even the tragic figure of Lourdes, played by Ebony Vagulans grabs at your heart.
Ebony Vagulans as Lourdes
This play isn’t for the faint-hearted, it is emotionally challenging because it is REAL. Approximately 40,000 Australian children are in out-of-home care; and the number is rising not falling. As a society, we all need to be exposed to this frightening statistic as they are innocent children, who just need a loving home.
Mark Kilmurry, Artistic Director, Ensemble Theatre said, “Rebecca Gilman is a writer who does not shy away from the big moral questions and this play deals with many important contemporary issues which face our society, including past trauma of child sexual abuse.
Directed by Susanna Dowling
Now showing at the Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli until Saturday 13 October
To book call 02 9929 0644 or visit www.ensemble.com.au
Top photo: Georgie Parker as Caroline Cox
All the above photos © Phil Erbacher
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