The Great Fire

Set in the scenic Adelaide hills, The Great Fire is about family relationships. However, this isn’t your run of the mill play about the ins and outs of families.

Actress Shelly Lauman described it as layered with the nuanced, complex and contradictory needs of each individual.

“On a bigger scale, it is about conflict between generations, privilege, how we treat the earth, how we treat each other [and] how we make sense of our lives,” she said.

Lauman plays a character who is confused with every facet of her life and has no idea what steps to take.

“She has a deep desire to figure it all out and live authentically and engage with the world, but she struggles to trust herself or any one, really, in terms of how to deal with the overwhelming,” she said.

The Great Fire looks deeper into characters and the relationships between people. Every audience member will feel a sense of understanding with the volatility of familial bonds. To make it even closer to home, the story is set at Christmas time, turning the heat way up.

“We have all had the conversations, we know the dynamics, we understand the frustration, the heat – both literally and emotionally – that comes with Christmas,” said Lauman.

This play was written by Kit Brookman, who also authored Small and Tired. The Great Fire is directed by Eamon Flack. (AMal)

Apr 2–May 8, various show times. Upstairs Theatre, Belvoir Street Theatre, 25 Belvoir Street, Surry Hills. $37-$72. Tickets & info: belvoir.com.au

BY ATHINA MALLIS