Jellyfish - Ben Weatherill - New Theatre
It is a privilege to be told a story that allows you to walk in the shoes of someone who otherwise you may never have had the chance to get their story told.
Theatre, in particular, is a format of storytelling that not only verbalises a story but shows it as well.
The little nuances. The side glances and the shuffling of feet, the red frustrated faces and the ever so kind eyes. All of these things would otherwise be missed if it was a story simply read aloud.
It also gives you as an audience member the chance to be confronted with answers to questions you never thought to ask.
Ben Weatherill’s play Jellyfish, directed by Deborah Jones explores all of these key things wonderfully. With all the wit, joy, anger and frustration deserving of the story being told, the cast portrays the relationship between Kelly, a woman with Down Syndrome and her mother Agnes with as much empathy as they do the relationship between Kelly and Neil. While the character of Dominic provides the comedy relief and at times, the level head.
I was in the wonderful position of being able to chat with the cast and crew of this critically brilliant production to gain a better understanding of the story I was being told. Audrey O’Conner, who portrayed Kelly, says she hopes this play helps audiences see people with Down Syndrome in a new light, to stop acting like they are not capable.
“Relationships are difficult anyway and it’s not just the person with the disability that is the problem or has the problem,” she said.
Touching on her character of Kelly, she noted that this play is a reality for you. “Kelly is full of life, cheeky, a rebel and she has a brain, she’s given me even more confidence in the reality of my own life. Even though it won’t be easy, I can do it. I want to be in the world that I rightfully belong in. We see and hear everything said, it’s given me the confidence to stick up for myself and tell people to be kinder.”
Deborah, the wonderful director who loves a good rom-com, saw the script of Jellyfish and was blown away by the heart it illuminates. She couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that this story wasn’t already on Sydney stages. “I think it’s because we’re scared,’ she said, “going against the grain is risky but it is also extremely exciting.”
While Joseph Tanti, who plays the kind Neil, reflected on working on this show with great appreciation for what it has gifted him. “It’s encouraged me to just be in the moment on stage. Don’t worry about things going wrong, to just be a person on stage” he said.
It’s a story about two lovers. It’s a story about a mother and a daughter... It’s a story that we’ve all seen and heard before and one that had tugged on our great strings time and time again. But Jellyfish showcases it in a way that makes an audience feel… well, I think Audrey and Deborah sum it up pretty well.
“It’s like an unbreakable bond when you love someone. You want to show them love and you never give up on them” Audrey said.
While Deborah added, “I am more patient. I am more aware and I am more in love.”
Jellyfish by Ben Weatherill
New Theatre, 542 King Street, Newtown Sydney
Director: Deborah Jones
Set Designer: James Smithers
Lighting and Sound Designer: Michael Schell
Costume Designer: Louise Fischer
Assistant Director: Olivia Bartha
Vocal Coach: Linda Nicholls-Gidley
Intimacy Director: Shondelle Pratt
Stage Manager: Rosane McNamara
Assistant Stage Manager: Georgie Moore
Operator: James Hewish
Cast: Siobhan Lawless, Daniel Mackenzie, Audrey O’Connor, Joseph Tanti
