REVIEW: The Ham Funeral
Image: Jane Phegan, Carmen Lysiak, Johnny Nasser & Andy Dexterity
Photo: Lucy Parakhina
The Ham Funeral is one of Australian theatre’s most brilliant and bizarre gems. Written in 1948 by Patrick White, the play looks at the darker side of the human condition; death, incest, mortality – nothing is off the table. And with the entirety of the play’s morbid events literally taking shape around a long kitchen table centre stage, it seems it was White’s purpose to provoke his audiences all along.
Directed by Kate Gaul, this time, it’s Siren Theatre Company and Griffin Independent bringing the play’s deathly ideas to life. Set in a boarding house, the caretaker’s wife, Mrs Lusty, is forced to plan her husband’s funeral after he suddenly dies over the kitchen table (I told you). With the help of the young poet renting out one of her upstairs rooms, Mrs Lusty invites her late husband’s family over for his funeral – a special funeral with ham.
Undoubtedly a heavy style of play, The Ham Funeral’s beauty lies in its intriguingly gruesome characters. Immediately drawn into the first act by the vivacity of the grotesque Mrs. Lusty, played flawlessly by Eliza Logan, it can be easy to fall behind while battling between the real and profound within the dense dialogue between her and the young poet.
Toward the end of the first act, new life is injected with the addition of new cast members: the hauntingly incongruous family of late Mr. Lusty. Twisted and smirking, the family of four are reminiscent of characters from a childhood nightmare, or perhaps Lemony Snicket book. The four bring the play to life, and elicit genuine laughs from the audience. And it’s the careful balancing act between the dark and this comedic light where the play finds its affect.
Until June 10, Mon-Sat 7pm. Griffin Theatre Company, 13 Craigend Street, Kings Cross. $30-$38. Tickets & Info: www.griffintheatre.com.au
Review by Chantal Walsh.
