It's always a treat when a show surprises you. I had no expectations going into Stand and Deliver, not really knowing much other than it was framed around a high school debating scenario. What a delight then to find a play with a lot on its mind and an anger about the state of the world simmering under everything.
Two things in particular stand out. The Acknowledgement of Country delivered onstage by two of the performers is followed by an acknowledgement of the victims of genocide in Palestine, Sudan, Congo, and Yemen. This immediately gets my attention that something a little different to the usual Fringe fare is definitely in the offing.
The second is a monologue delivered by Lauren Westphal-Groves (Rachael) that compares and contrasts the safety of debating etiquette in a classroom with protests outside in the real world. It's impassioned, insightful, and a wonderful example of theme writ large in good writing and execution. This definitely gets my attention.
The play is political in ways that thrill me as a writer of politically tinged fare. From the debate topic the six characters prepare for - should the voting age be lowered to 16 - to that friction between polite debate and lively protest; the politics of friendship as six students navigate envy, infatuation, self-entitlement, status, anxiety, identity, and the so-called sisterhood; and sexual politics with an unabashed queer perspective.
The set-up is simple. Star debater Rachael (Westphal-Groves) is late which unsettles the others, especially Bryn (Rebecca Attwood) who seems to idolise her disclosing perhaps more than intended. Overly ambitious Abigail (Tasha Fraser) seizes the moment to take the spotlight, more than miffed she isn't already the star of the team. Abigail turns to friend Madeline (Sophie Quin) who only seems content to tag along at her behest. Olivia (Bec Moore) quietly makes her points in opposition to Abigail while Sonnie (Adah Hill) uses debating to help with anxiety. These interactions shift and move in fascinating ways as assumptions are upturned and revelations uncover stress fractures amongst the group.
Rachel eventually surfaces after having been at a protest rally. She delivers that wonderful monologue and the fact that perhaps she isn't the star they all thought she was. That honour lies elsewhere. They rally to confront their fiercest rival - Mercedes College! Yes, there is a lot of sly humour here about the perceived education hierarchy and their place in it; several prestigious institutions being namechecked along the way.
The acting is an interesting mix of the performative versus quiet understatement as larger than life characters confront more circumspect counterparts. It all works in a strange alchemy that clearly delineates each character and their mindset. A highlight is when they all dance raucously to relieve the stress of impending ruin.
The play ends with another strong monologue as Bec Moore's Olivia leaves but not before she commentates on her hopes for them all and their friendship; how they were electric together. Then we're out as the debate is about to commence...
...and I want more!
It feels like a perfect act break heading into an intermission after 50 minutes of wry, observational comedy; excellent character work; and those political undertones. For mine, there is absolutely the potential to extend this out.
Other things of note - we hear the rules of debating on a loop as we take our seats. The simple set design including a white board with typical debating terms on it; the school costumes with subtle changes for every character and the differing attitude/posture each performer brings. Oh, and I loved the tag line on the poster - Friendship is debatable. The lighting design is a little haphazard in trying to single out a performer in certain moments but it's a minor distraction as I lock into this pretty quickly.
I walked out of the theatre enthused and impressed about these young artists and writer/director Arthur Brown using their voices to speak out on topics they are passionate about. Long may it continue!
Stand and Deliver is on at the Hayman Theatre as part of Fringe World until 9 February.
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