The Faithful Servant Dorian Nkono and PJ Williams. Photograph by Shelly Higgs courtesy of The Street Theatre.
What compels one to spend their lifetime helping people in a distant, foreign country? Is it appropriate for this person to expect his daughter to follow in his footsteps? Does his devotion to helping others justify his neglect of his own family? The complexities manifest in one’s decision to traverse two very different worlds are explored in this compelling production from the team behind last year’s The Chain Bridge.
Written by Tom Davis in a style similar to his previous plays, The Faithful Servant oscillates between space and time, stitching together a chronicle from non-linear parts. As each scene sheds a different light on the multi-dimensionally scripted characters, a picture gradually emerges of an unconventional family struggling to remain intact despite disparate views of the world.
Dr Raymond Gerrard is a surgeon. He found his way to Mozambique after rendering assistance to refugees fleeing violence. From the moment he first lent his hand to a dying woman whose bones were broken beyond repair, he has been unable to leave. Establishing the locally run medical clinic, Australians for Hope, Ray has steadfastly dedicated his life to ensuring the people of the town get medical care.
Ignoring issues of whether the treatment given is the most effective in the circumstances, Ray’s singular view puts him at odds with that of his adopted daughter, Caroline. Having been raised in Australia and casting off her African name, Caroline struggles to reconcile her desire to practise medicine in Canberra with the expectations of her father to continue his legacy of the NGO. Played by Zimbabwean-born actor Tariro Mavondo, this young VCA graduate’s spirited portrayal of Caroline will no doubt herald a bright future for the multi-disciplinary performer.
The dilemma borne by Caroline is accentuated after Ray’s death when she acquiesces to the appeals of the clinic’s manager, Coetano Perreira, to scatter her father’s ashes around the clinic. Having helped Ray set up the clinic decades earlier, Coetano’s views for the future direction of the NGO run counter to those of both Caroline and Ray, exacerbating the tension already surrounding the fraught family.
Highlighting the moral conundrum belying development work, advertisements appealing for donations to the Australians for Hope clinic separate each scene. The aluminium roller door at the back of the stage presents the perfect grainy backdrop for each vignette, which robotically reiterate clichés of development speak – ‘give hope’, ‘make a difference’, ‘help save a life’.
True to his style, Davis doesn’t seek to draw conclusions from any of the themes raised in his plays. Rather the story presents itself simply as a narrative, a conceived demonstration of the interactions between three protagonists; each motivated by their own selfishness and none better than the other. The characterisations of the various players in the performance work to balance each other seamlessly. Through intelligent dialogue and pragmatic scripting, each character gleans a unique and realistic personality, making each one relatable to the audience.
Teaming up again with Caroline Stacey, the director transforms Davis’ script into a dramatically accessible display. Each scene is thoughtfully concocted and attention to detail has been given all the way down to the soiled underpants of Dr Ray. Combined with the artful design of Imogen Keen, the production team’s interpretation of the intricate script once again highlight what a powerful vehicle theatre is for exploring issues of depth and complexity. The intimate layout of bringing the audience onto the stage with the actors gives a close-up perspective to the play’s interactions.
The Faithful Servant is an intense and at times uncomfortable piece of theatre. The desire of each character to do what s/he thinks is right and good, whether in the eyes of God, society or themselves pose difficulties for each of them. Effectively, the question of what it means to be good is something that each of us address each day of our lives. This play highlights how the means to address it pose no clear answers for anyone, no matter what their origin.
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
The Faithful Servant
Written by Tom Davis
Directed by Caroline Stacey
Performed by PJ Williams, Tariro Mavondo and Dorian Nkono
Playing at The Street Theatre
7-18 September 2016​
