Eureka Day is a hilarious and timely play for our divided times. It cleverly uses a hyper-progressive private primary school, an inclusive community, as a microcosm of society. This hotly anticipated Sydney premiere is presented by Outhouse Theatre Co and Seymour Centre.
When a mumps outbreak hits, order descends into utter chaos as parents and teachers clash over personal freedoms, public health and the limits of open dialogue. This multi-award-winning play explores the futility of public discourse when trying not to offend and our inability to listen to those with whom we disagree.
When Jonathan Spector wrote this play in 2017, he had no idea what incredible prescience he had for the challenging times soon to face the world. Originally premiering at Aurora Theatre Company in Berkeley, California as part of their 2017-2018 season, it moved to off-Broadway in August 2019. The season was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, rather fittingly, but the original cast was reunited on May 22 2020 for a virtual reading.
It’s 2018 and Eureka Day, a private primary school in Berkeley, California, is a bastion of progressive ideals. The parents on the Executive Committee value inclusion above all else until a mumps outbreak forces a rethink of the school’s liberal vaccine policy.
As cases rise and polite debate descends into ideological warfare, the school leadership are forced to confront one of our era’s defining questions. How do you build consensus, when no one can agree on the facts?
Eureka Day is directed by Outhouse Theatre Co’s Artistic Associate Craig Baldwin. His keen eye for moments of humour balanced by moments of emotion, creates a bitingly funny, deeply human theatrical experience.
He clearly explores how even the most well-meaning communities can fracture under the weight of competing truths and ideologies. It is a play that speaks perfectly to our current moment. To anyone who’s ever tried, and struggled, to find common ground.
This delightfully hilarious and wildly topical production features an all-star cast. Jamie Oxenbould plays a very sincere principal who sticks to his principles even when those around him don’t. Katrina Retallick acts as the play’s antagonist. But in reality, she brings much needed depth and nuance as she listens to the other characters, but doesn’t really ever hear them.
Deborah An is a lively, knitting-loving young teacher, whose personal entanglements leave her torn as to which group to side with. Christian Charisiou plays the dickish delinquent, whose humour is second only to his heart. And Branden Christine strikes the balance between preaching and pedantry perfectly.
Lighting and video design by Aron Murray gives the production great variety in the scene transitions. However, by far and away his best scene is the Zoom conversation that got the audience not only erupting with laughter but also applause.
Similarly, the costume and set design by Kate Beere, the set in particular, jumps right off the stage. It feels like we’ve opened up a 3D kids’ picture book that has come to life.
This shrewd social satire interrogates the idea of vaccines from all angles equally. It is both infectiously hilarious and pragmatically polarising. Overflowing with comic poise, Eureka Day’s razor-sharp commentary left me laughing just as much as it left me thinking.
Outhouse Theatre Co’s Eureka Day runs to 21 June at the Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre. Cnr City Road and Cleveland Street Chippendale NSW 2008.
Tickets are available here!
Website: https://www.seymourcentre.com/event/eureka-day/
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Photo credits: Richard Farland
