Making its debut on the La Boite main stage this week, 'Capricorn' is a wacky and wonderful tale of love, longing and loss that resonates with anyone who has opened their heart to love and heartache.
It takes a few minutes for 'Capricorn' to set the tone for the evening as our two lovers Ally (Jazleen Latrise) and Sam (Sean Dow) stare down the barrel of the inevitable end to their long-term relationship. As their passion and love fires across the stage in a heated exchange, the audience prepares for a sombre experience. However, the tone of 'Capricorn' quickly pivots as the spirit of the couple's goldfish takes to the stage. Yes, a goldfish.
The love story of Ally and Sam is told against the backdrop of a strange phenomenon, all the goldfish have mysteriously disappeared from people's homes around the country. It’s a peculiar choice of narrative that ultimately helps drive the story, as the heartache of our lovers is juxtaposed against the strange and often hilarious happenings of the world taking place outside the four walls of their apartment. Enter 'Here Fishy Fishy Fishy'.
Kerri Llewy-Allan plays the standout role of the goldfish belonging to Ally and Sam, who takes a human form after years of watching and observing the turbulent life of our lovers. Fishy decides it’s time to step in and offer some guidance. In turn, he manages to steal the show. The entirety of 'Capricorn' is a revolving door of opportunities for Kerri Llewy-Allan to demonstrate his remarkable skill-set and brilliant comedic timing. When he is not creating laugh-out-loud moments on stage as he tries to save the lovers, he is showcased in a range of videos and roles that narrate the backdrop of the show, from news reporter, to soap star in 'Sista Girls In The City' he takes every moment and commands the attention of the audience delivering one-liners that leave audience members snorting with laughter.
Latrise and Dow face a tough challenge balancing the raw emotion of their characters against the comedy of the piece. However, they rise to the challenge and deliver powerful performances as their characters struggle through the complexities of their breakup and begin to explore their own sexuality. Circumstances continue to intervene for the couple as they are brought back to each other time and again, unsure and afraid of what their futures hold.
La Boite is known for supporting new and emerging talent and is the perfect place for 'Capricorn' to make its debut.
It is more than just a new show, 'Capricorn' is supporting emerging talent and amplifying the voices of First Nations creators on stage. Aidan Rowlingson is both the Playwright and Director of 'Capricorn', who lends his voice as a Butchulla and Kabi Kabi man and queer person. “This is my mainstage debut and it was important to me to have a bunch of artists debut alongside me because that’s how we’ll build the future of ‘Australian’ theatre” he said. 'Capricorn' is supported by a cast and crew of proud First Nations performers, their presence and their stories are amplified throughout the production with raw beauty, grace and humour.
