Phoenix Theatre
March 21-25th, 8pm
$16/$12/$10
Finding the River is the fairytale farce of Lily and Rose, two women attempting to liberate the worlds water supply from
the tyrannical control of an evil male Earth. For a more detailed explanation than that, you'd have to ask the actors
themselves, however Finding the River is still a tour de force of hilarious role plays and set pieces.
Negotiating hitmen, hazards and enchanted forests Lily and Rose are on the run, desperately trying to outwit giants,
magic gateways and avoid the clutches of their pursuers. As they move ever closer to the source of the rivers flow the
dangers increase and they find themselves precariously balanced between fate and fortune.
Two Australian actresses move from role to role with ease (often in the same scene) creating not just characters but
also environments and never letting the pace drop.
By the far the most entertaining characters are Simon, the Earth's chosen henchman sent to knock off Lily and Rose, and
his gormless servant Samuel.
Somewhat reminiscent of Shakespeare's The Tempest, Simon is the classic comedy fool drunk with power, and Samuel is his
adoring but intellectually challenged slave. Pursuing Lily and Rose, their dialogue is funny, lightning quick and full
of hilarious vanity from Simon. Meanwhile, Samuel's endless stupidity - (reading the back of the map!?!) is a great foil
to his masters delusions of grandeur.
What this play lacks is a broadly human motif. While it's performances and characters are brilliant, it's tantalising to
imagine that with a little more work Finding the River could really be a great play, to be performed by other
generations of actors. At present the premise of the play seems like an excuse for the characterisations of the
actresses.
Having said that, it's also easy to see how this was pick of the Melbourne fringe. With its mix of humour and energy
Finding the River is a wonderfully free-spirited performance full of wit and imagination, and bound to be a highlight of
this years festival - check it out.