Ross Lonnie's Uncle Jack strikes deep within the recesses of the heart with its compelling character study of a young pup named Doug (Ben Hall) sent to work on his uncle's farm, a middle-aged man suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (Quintin George). Hall shows impressive talent with his portrayal of Doug and his ability to seamlessly change into his father Bob. Quintin's performance, however, is the highlight, both powerful and raw. His ability to talk quick-witted banter like a true blue Aussie and then pierce your soul with a PTSD episode will leave you begging for more. This switch in tones, supported by the great use of sound (Carley Gagliardi) can be sudden and violent, creating a stark contrast of witty, playful dialogue with uncomfortable, stressful suffering. This, coupled with the small size of the theatre, makes for a claustrophobic and intense experience. During these moments, it can be just as emotive watching the change in the audience's expression as they too try and deal with what's going on. Amidst a seemingly endless slew of mindless blockbusters that tend to be more about spectacle than anything, here is escapism and entertainment that can also serve as a reminder of what it's like to really feel something.
The Blue Room to 10 May
