The Bleeding Tree: Gripping Horror Presented By Theatre Republic ~ Theatre Review

[THEATRE/Drama ~ SA] Space Theatre, Thu 25 Aug. An eerie soundscape greets audiences as they arrive. A strange silhouetted wooden structure sits hauntingly in the dark. Three figures emerge from the darkness to confess their crime. A stream of hatred spews forth to justify what they’ve done. Each egging on the other. Each taking turns to describe their victim in ever increasing anger as disgusting, vile, repulsive, despicable – someone who had no right to go on living. They’ve done the right thing. He deserved to die. A sudden visit from a neighbour who drops by just to check that everything’s OK briefly puts a stop to the vitriol before they hatch a morbid plan to dispose of the body.  A plan that allows them to eke out every ounce of pleasure while their victim rots away. Again, their fury builds. Their collective mind revels in discussing his physical demise in raw and gruesome detail. The language pulls no punches. It is deliberately discomforting. Relentless - as was his violence towards his wife and daughters. Much of this tirade is delivered as performance poetry. Not dialogue between characters so much as mutual reinforcement of each other’s hate in quickfire echo-like repetition of each other’s lines. It’s impressive and effective. Hypnotic even. You feel their hatred and for a while you might even forgive them their depravity. They had been driven it to it, surely? They had no choice. Early on one of the daughters breaks ranks and asks, “where’s he gone Mum? Where’s he gone.” Mum admits she doesn’t know. She doesn’t much care either. His violence towards them has pushed her beyond caring. She now just wants to enjoy his decay. So, this brief moment of philosophical pondering is swept away in the unrelenting hatred. Everything about Corey McMahon’s direction of The Bleeding Tree is designed to have us dwell on the text. To make sure we catch every shocking syllable of the deranged spiral of revenge. It’s compelling theatre, and wonderfully performed, but there’s a point where one realises that whatever redemption is on offer here is very minor. It remains a horror story to the end with no real winners. 3.5 stars Michael Coghlan The Bleeding Tree continues at Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Cente, at various times, until Sat 27 Aug. Bookings at Ticketek. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. Written by Angus Cerini Directed by Corey McMahon Presented by Theatre Republic