Review: Melbourne Theatre Company’s 37 is the Real Deal

Melbourne Theatre Company’s 37, a heartfelt comedy play that calls out both casual and overt racism in Australian football, has returned to Melbourne with a well-earned standing ovation. 

Premiering in March last year, 37 is set during the era of Adam Goodes’ war cry. Whether you’re a long-time fan of AFL football or a casual Grand Final day viewer, the play’s name should be familiar to you. If you’re a football novice like myself, you will quickly learn the weight and cultural significance behind the number that Adam Goodes immortalised. That said, you don’t have to be a football connoisseur to enjoy this show, as its story and message go far beyond the game. 

So what’s the story actually about? At face value, it’s about football, but it goes much deeper than that. 37 explores themes of community, cultural identity and the cost of winning. It centres around Indigenous cousins Jayma and Sonny as they follow in Jayma’s father’s footsteps and join the local Currawongs football club. The club has never won a premiership, nor has the all-white team ever met a First Nations Australian before.

Jayma and Sonny quickly help the team climb the ladder, and the Currawongs appear to be doing better than ever. However, tension within the team begins to rise due to casual racism, which quickly becomes more and more overt. The play calls out the systemic issues of racism in sport and our country as a whole whilst also spotlighting the imbalanced price paid for victory of any kind between marginalised groups and the larger population.

One of the standout qualities of 37 which makes it fitting for all types of audiences, is its authentically Australian feel. In a time when the internet is screaming for accurate representation which goes beyond the surface level, 37 succeeds where Hollywood has failed (here’s looking at you Emilia Perez). Trawlwoolway playwright Nathan Maynard has perfectly encapsulated locker room banter and hasn’t shied away from exposing the dangers of hyper-masculinity or the discomfort of racism. His writing had the audience laughing, audibly gasping and groaning from start to finish.

But it wouldn’t be Australian without creative and colourful insults – that crude language warning is no joke! Aided by Director Isaac Drandic and Choreographer Waangenga Blanco, who have showcased thousands of years of Indigenous dance history in the play’s most crucial moments. Together they have highlighted the importance of Indigenous culture and the need to respect the past when making decisions about the future.

Blanco’s own history with Bangarra Dance Theatre was evident throughout, creating a strikingly physical performance unlike any I have seen in a play before. Together, the creative team were able to do the impossible and bring football to life on stage, as well as pay tribute to the game that inspired it, Marngrook. It was refreshing to see a story with cultural significance being told with love and care in such an authentic way.

While the set, designed by Dale Ferguson, was simple and unchanging, the space was well-used. Actors often ended up among the audience, whether they were looking for a bus or running laps at training. Lighting, designed by Ben Hughes, along with multi-purposed props, transformed the Cutting Cove locker room into a multitude of different settings.

Despite the ensemble nature of the cast, the play’s lead is arguably Jayma, portrayed by Ngali Shaw. He masterfully balanced the energetic hopefulness of youth with the simmering anger caused by racial injustice. As Sonny, Tibian Wyles crafted a stoic and guarded exterior for his character. As the play progressed, he skilfully revealed a passionate and protective side, with subtle hints of his own anger lying beneath.

It would be remiss of me to not praise the chemistry of the entire cast. In scenes with the whole team, the banter was easy and the teasing merciless. Mitchell Brotz, who played Gorby, even managed to make everyone break with a very physical sex joke. 

There’s a reason 37 was so quick to return to the theatre: it’s funny, it’s bold and it’s real. It’s a story that needs to be heard. Don’t miss your chance to catch this production as tickets are selling fast.

Melbourne Theatre Company’s 37 is on now and runs until 22 February at Southbank Theatre, 140 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank.

Tickets: https://tickets.mtc.com.au/production/18860

Socials: https://www.instagram.com/melbtheatreco/

Photo credits by Pia Johnson, featuring the original 2024 Melbourne cast.