Life As We Know It

Theatre is empowering. People whose voices are stifled in popular culture can find expression on the stage with all the attention of an audience; no text messages, no internet, just devoted attention. Take the silver-haired performers of Life As We Know It – they have the audience's complete. It brings seven senior residents from the Campbelltown suburb of Minto onto a stage on the edge of the city at Carriageworks. The seven explore aspects of their lives, from gardening to love to death, through a series of monologues and often humourous interactions. The project was put together by director Rosie Dennis who has been working with the communities of Minto for sometime to produce works that reflect the local identity. It is an under tapped resource. Sydney culture would benefit if more directors were to bring the many diverse identities of the city to the stage in such elegant fashion.

The effort of all seven actors is inspiring. The seven performers, gracefully discuss the their lives. The show might be rough around the edges. The sound isn't perfect and performers forget lines. But that doesn't diminish or take away from the power of the work and this is quite the feat.

Carriageworks (finished)