The Wonderful World of Dissocia ~Theatre Review

[Theatre - SA Premiere] Adelaide University Theatre Guild The Little Theatre, Thur 4 May, 2023. Mental illness is a tricky topic to tackle in any artistic form. We are usually shown this through its effect on other people, acted out mostly through violence. Rarely do we get a glimpse inward rather than outward. This play takes us on a road-trip down rabbit holes and into the mind of another person. Read Monty Python meets Alice in Wonderland. Playwright Anthony Neilson dares to go there, where most shy away from the too hard basket case, that vortex that threatens us, lest for the grace of god there go me too. There is some confronting violence, as Tweedledum and Tweedledee use more than words as weapons. But all is not black and white, there is no border-line to step across; unless, that is of course you visit the land of Dissocia. Here it is colourful and even comical, welcoming as well as challenging. Those voices in your head are now real people, and they’re ready to discuss whatever is uppermost in your mind. Not that they have any answers for your pressing need, but they’ll happily argue any point you bring along. Face your demons and you find they are only wanting to support you. They are also ready to fight for you against the forces of the Black Dog King, who are reported to be surrounding the land. But who can you trust, when chaos is an acceptable local custom? The shifts back to ‘reality’ to meet family members and partner are crisply handled, and in these scenes it makes you wonder whether being ‘normal’ is worth the effort, or indeed possible. Staging such clear insights into the mental machinations of a human psyche is a tough call, but this brilliant ensemble succeeds in all areas. The various characters are all strongly presented, and the leading role is played by Nadia Talotta with startling precision. The action is superbly directed and the relentless pace creates truly totally engaging theatre. All of us have experienced at least some feelings of self-defeat, doubt and confusion. This powerful play goes a long way to breaking down the barriers surrounding these issues, and sucking the strength out of the stigma associated with them. As the director Thomas Filsell says, "struggling to gain and maintain good mental health…is what is ‘normal.’ We are all different mentally, no two people are exactly alike in their behaviour. So, if to be crazy is to be ‘different,’ then we’re all …mad!" 5 stars David Cronin The Wonderful World of Dissocia continues at The Little Theatre, The Cloisters, University of Adelaide at 7.30pm until Sun 14 May. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #TheClothesline