Playwrights have probably all had unhappy childhoods which may explain their endless fascination with families and their dynamics, particularly the ones which result in damages to individuals. As Tolstoy said “Happy families are all alike; every
Poor Boy by Matt Cameron and Tim Finn
Auckland Theatre Company
Maidment Theatre
Until April 9th
Playwrights have probably all had unhappy childhoods which explains their endless fascination with families and their dynamics, particularly the ones which result in damages to individuals. As Tolstoy said “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
That inquiry into the problems of families is at the heart of ATC's latest play, "Poor Boy."
Seven years ago Danny Prior (Roy Snow) was killed by a hit and run driver on a zebra crossing. At the same time a boy was born to the Glass family.
The play opens with the party for the seven year old Jem (Finn McLachlan) who has just had a fainting episode on a zebra crossing. Then the boy announces to his mother, Viv (Jennifer Ward–Lealand, father Sol (Andrew Grainger) and sister Sadie (Lauren Porteous) that he is not their son or brother.
He, or rather the boy, and Danny then connect with the Prior family who take him in after he proves that he must be their son reincarnated.
A brittle relationship develops between the two families as they explore the circumstances leading up to Danny’s death. The truth, when it is revealed, goes some way to healing the two families.
Even though the play has a very simple story its slow unravelling makes it seem a complicated, interwoven tale. This is mainly because a supernatural or spiritual element is introduced.
Danny takes on the role of the ghost of his former self but he is also guardian angel of the young boy. This puts the play into the category of magic realism where inexplicable elements blend to create a realistic atmosphere where we are never quite sure whether we are in the real world or some invented parallel universe.
It uses these aspects as well as the more gritty aspects of living in a slightly dysfunctional or disordered family to explore issues about the secrets and lies of families as well as the inventions and facades of family life.
There are several Tim Finn songs scattered through the show, which are intended to develop and extend the metaphors which occur in the play. Sometimes these are spot on but at other times they really don’t really relate to the narrative.
They are more an acknowledgment of Finn’s perceptive lyrics about people and their relationships.
It’s not only the music that doesn’t quite fit with the play – the elaborate set does not provide any sense of relevance or cohesion.
Despite these problems director Raymond Hawthorne has managed to bring together an A-list cast who give A+ performances. Rima Te Wiata provides a moving study of a woman on the verge of breakdown while Jennifer Ward-Lealand as Viv gives a thoughtful display as a woman being torn apart by conflicting desires and emotions. Her singing of “I Hope I Never” was the most poignant and incisive of those sung and she manages to extract every emotional nuasnce from it.
Sophie Hawthorne as Danny’s widow and Lauren Porteous help give the play a sexual undertone with some insightful and edgy acting.
Andrew Grainger as Sol captures a man under severe pressure, Cameron Douglas as Miles gave a strong performance in a weak role while Roy Snow was superbly refined as the enigmatic Danny. Finn McLachlan as the young boy dodn’t have to say much but his face spoke a thousand words.
