Blood Bank is ushered onto stage by a video projection of a boy playing among dense foliage. The audience hears him talk to another young boy. They are playing together. Their relationship is ambiguous but will soon be made clear. The video projection dissolves to reveal six attached waiting room chairs. It's cold, there are bad magazines, and the people there have no affiliation with each other. Welcome to the Blood Bank, a theatrical space where blood, with all its connotations of family, lust, and passion, is given generously.
Tom Stokes' performance is world class, switching between the confident, cancer-ridden Justin to the tightly wound Michael. His transitions are rapid yet seamless. As Justin, he adds a warmth to the freezing space and thematic atmosphere. As Michael, he complements its morbid sentiments. Gabrielle Scawthorn plays Abbey with just the right mixture of quirky charm and subtle yearning. It is a character trope tried and tested but she manages to give it some spice, a manic pixie dream girl with some 'real' as the cherry on top.
The project is a breath of fresh air to the Ensemble Theatre, whose programming can reflect their older demographic. This is the world premiere of Christopher Harley's Blood Bank, the world premiere of new Australian writing. Yes, it falters on underdeveloped characters at times, and the drama of the dialogue at moments seems unsolicited, but this is a promise — a promise of more to come from Harley and from the Ensemble Theatre too. A thoroughly enjoyable experience.
