THEATRE: 7 NOVEMBER 2017 By GERALDINE WORTHINGTON

Merciless Gods, by Christos Tsiolkas (adapted by Dan Giovannoni) | Directed by Stephen Nicolazzo

Griffin Theatre (www.griffintheatre.com.au) & Littleones Theatre | The Stables, Darlinghurst, Sydney | Until 25 November

Christos Tsiolkas, Australian playwright, essayist and screenwriter is perhaps best known for his 2008 novel and drama series, The Slap, which traced the shattering repercussions of a single event upon a group of family and friends. Merciless Gods also started life in 2014 as a book and was adapted for the stage 2015 by Dan Giovannoni.

Travelling north, Little Ones Theatre brings to the Griffin stage these contemporary tales told from various voices of Australia that are not often heard. In eight short dramas we are presented with a most unconventional focus on modern relationships.

The first piece begins up-beat and seemingly tame as a group of middle-class professionals play party games but the tone darkens when random words initiate a sequence of personal confessions which become increasingly disturbing.

As each scenario continues, the characters become more diverse — geriatrics, care-givers, fathers, mothers, lesbian couples, queer boys, straight boys, prisoners, junkies and a fundamentalist.

 We view modern Australia through their eyes as they struggle to understand their world and the people around them whilst they canvass confronting issues of death, sex, murder, suicide and rape.

Mothers feature in many monologues — Italian matriarchs, soccer mums, alcoholic mums, neglectful mothers and bohemian types, all appear as they cry, rage and drink their way through their anguish.

Each actor in this talented collective (Jennifer Vuletic, Sapidah Kian, Peter Paltos, Paul Blenheim, Brigid Gallacher and Charles Purcell) is given a moment to reveal the full extent of their skills; it is a superb cast.

The vignettes take us seamlessly through so many varied aspects of Australian life and culture — dinner parties, migrant camps, gay saunas, prison cells, to name just a few. Designer Eugyeene Teh creates a modest set for this turbulent world, with an opulent red curtain as a backdrop suggesting the darkest passions.

Stephen Nicolazzo’s direction cleverly unifies the show and ensures cohesion is never lost whilst still obtaining unique performances from his actors that are powerfully sincere. We really are on a journey that is disquieting in its examination of pain and reality. Not easy theatre, but it is thought provoking.

This show could easily offend many, but whilst it confronts the end result is totally compelling theatre that positions its audience to be empathetic. This is Modern Greek tragedy.

Thumbs up!

Images: Sarah Walker.