“A boy torn apart by life”: A Review of Blue at La Boîte 

Blue is about to wrap up at La Boîte on June 1. The one-man show written and performed by Heartbreak High star Thomas Weatherall is a grief-stricken journey of a boy torn apart by life. Blue is a playwriting debut that delivers promise of a compelling writing career in Weatherall’s future.  

Here’s the blurb from La Boîte: 

When Mark moved out of home for the first time, his mum started writing him letters – just checking in, staying in touch, keeping a gentle hold on her son. 

Until one letter brings news no-one wants to hear. 

This Brisbane run has the same crew from its premier in Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney. In the crew, we have Director Deborah Brown, Set & Costume Designer Jacob Nash, Lighting Designer Chloe Ogilvie, Sound Designer & Composer Wil Hughes and Video Designer David Bergman. 

WHAT DID GLASS THINK?   

How dare you, Thomas. 

The play was cathartically beautiful. It dealt a sucker punch of emotions and laughs.  

I was expecting to struggle getting through this play – it being a one-man show. But the combination of everything – writing, performance, set and choreography – made for an exciting and macabre watch of a man’s mess of emotions.  

The writing and Tom’s performance had this rhythm, it almost felt like listening to a song, and it led the audience on through the story without getting monotonous-monologue fatigue. The song-like delivery contributed to the emotional exploration of Mark’s racing emotions, and I was connecting to the lilting avoidance. It keeps the audience restless and on edge. 

Weatherall’s writing felt grounded in his exploration of grief in Mark’s rationalising reality and academic understanding of death.  

The choreography filled the stage with sets and characters that I did forget at times it was just the one man speaking on stage. The movement and treatment of space around the simple yet expansive stage was so intentional a step into a zone could trigger anguish. It was so powerful I was actively distressed by an upended chair.  

Blue makes you want to hold loved ones tighter and left the audience relieved to be able to sob aloud once it was over.  

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La Boîte has an exciting 2024 season in store for the Kelvin Grove community. You can find out about all their upcoming events at laboite.com.au/shows   

Ben Steele
Ben Steele
Articles: 38

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