Review: Vice
Image: Benjamin McCann & Jess Loudon. (Photo by Thomas Adams)
VICE is a play dealing with the sexual abuse cases at St Mark’s College, an all-boys private school on Sydney’s North Shore. The show folds out as a complex mystery dealing with the intricate internal politics of the school’s staff, more than the indecent acts themselves.
Given the at times comedic nature of VICE, it felt a sensible choice to go down the path it did, as these elements of humour, which were the strongest part of the writing and would have translated much worse when examining just the abuse itself.
Featuring a small cast and very limited stage design, the modest budget was evident. However, with outstanding performances from all of the actors, particularly the emphatic Jess Loudon who played St Mark’s assertive Head of English, Olivia Fox, would be quick to forgive VICE’s simple size for its incredibly multi-faceted and engaging exploration of justice and morality. (MB)
April 21-May 9, King Street Theatre, 644 King St & Crn Bray St, Newtown, $30-35, kingstreettheatre.com.au or 0423 082 015
