Image by Lisa Tomasetti.
A new play by Sue Smith, Kryptonite explores the relationship between Australia and China through the eyes of Lian and Dylan, who met in Sydney just before the Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989. Referencing common stereotypes of both sides, real life events and news stories spanning the 25 year span, it is a timely and appealing piece.
Kryptonite opens with Lian and Dylan in the present day, speaking about the many flights that defined their history. We see them at a press conference, both under media pressure, instilling us with doubt as to the exact nature of their relationship. Next, they flashback to 1989 and their first meeting as university students. Dylan is a carefree, privileged surfer from Collaroy who has made a bet with his friends to try and bed Lian. She is a studious Chinese girl whose English and mannerisms are awkwardly staccato. Dylan becomes intrigued by Lian and takes her out on his plane over Broken Hill. At the same time, in China, hundreds of her peers are being mown down by the People’s Liberation Army. Lian breaks down and, shortly afterwards, disappears from Dylan’s life.
Over the years she pops up again, the timing of each meeting illustrated on set through dissolving numbers painted by the characters on a wall behind. Dylan grows into a more likeable character as a Greens senator, while Lian becomes a successful business woman with mining interests. Somehow, despite the polar nature of their occupations and beliefs, the two become lovers. Yet theirs is not a happily- ever-after story and their actions cause us to question both their motivations and knowledge of the other. While the character stereotypes are grating at times, they are both individuals with interesting character arcs.
Tim Walter and Ursula Mills are both excellent, in particular, Mills, whose evolution from student to powerful entrepreneur is portrayed flawlessly, particularly through her language and mannerisms. The set design of Victoria Lamb is fantastic, down to the metaphoric walls crumbling at the end, while historical footage from Tiananmen Square plays on a number of TV screens. Lighting by Nicholas Rayment is well used to reflect mood changes. If there were to be just one highlight of Brookman’s well-directed piece, it is its the sound design: from the realistic aeroplane sounds above us, to the crowd hum as Dylan makes one of his activist speeches, Andrew Howard has done a remarkable job. The original score by DJ TR!P adds to the aural extravaganza.
In all, this is an impressive, thought-provoking production which guarantees to provide conversation topics for some time after.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Kryptonite
By Sue Smith
Director: Geordie Brookman
Designer: Victoria Lamb
Lighting Designer: Nicholas Rayment
Composer: DJ TR!P
Sound Designer Andrew Howard
With: Ursula Mills, Tim Walter
Wharf 1 Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company
www.sydneytheatre.com.au
17 September- 18 October
