Unmissable theatre in Nambour’s Black Box

Inner voices become manifest in What If If Only. From left: Angel Goulter, Martin Harding, Kephirah Randall. Image by Greals.

A great theatre experience is born from the work of an accomplished playwright, a visionary director, skilled actors and an experienced technical crew. 

3bCreative has brought together these parts to form an extraordinary stage experience with the double bill of Escaped Alone and What If If Only, two of Caryl Churchill’s later works. 

Beginning the program is the short play, What If If Only, which explores grief and loss. The character known only as “Someone” has lost their partner and life is standing still as a result. Trapped, unable to move forward, he demands answers, from whom exactly he does not know. 

And then the voices start. Churchill’s writing invites comparisons with A Christmas Carol. Is Someone a Scrooge character, hoarding his pain? Is this a case of “be careful what you wish for?” Skilfully lit and surrounded by the void of the Black Box, the actors appear to float in the darkness; and their virtuoso performances can be confronting. After interval we are treated to Escaped Alone; featuring four women taking tea and afternoon drinks in their walled garden. 

From their conversations we learn that each of them are facing their own challenges, as indeed is the wider world outside their refuge. The play climaxes in an emotional peak and then settles back to the routine of ordinary life. 

Escaped Alone and What If If Only continue at the Black Box, corner of William and Howard Streets Nambour, from Friday 25 September until Sunday 27 September. Patrons please note that the plays contain some coarse language and reference grief and loss. Bookings are essential and may be made at www.trybooking.com/DOAVX