La Mama presents Saints, a wordy interrogation of religion, history and land created by Elbow Room Theatre. The show questions the voices of history and religion, why events have been told the way they have, and why those voices were the ones shaping the version of what happened.
Saints looks at witch trials and prophetic figures, contains spiritual drug trips, the long history of tensions between Ireland and England, all culminating in a percussion-based spoken (and shouted) word performance to close out the show. It takes a big bite of dense material to chew on for the duration of the play.
The show starts with a jolt of energy, a clever use of screens and punchy lighting to pair with a high-octane rap track, taking us through a rapid-fire history lesson, from the Big Bang to 1654, where the story, or rather cultural interrogation, takes place.
I loved watching Cait Spiker as Anna, who pulls focus at every moment. Her performance is, for the most part, quiet and controlled, and yet demands attention. When Anna raises her voice, it’s chilling, and in these moments, Spiker carries the captivating nature of a preacher.
Emily Tomlins as Elizabeth, a spy, is fascinating. Her character feels distinct from the rest and grounds the piece in the present moment. Tomlins sustains the narrative tension, pulling the audience back to the stakes for these characters whenever the show drifts toward a new thematic thread.
Miki Looker’s costume design has a fun steampunk edge, pairing neatly with Rachel Nankin’s production design. I loved the use of rope on stage and the splatters of red paint on the staircase of the stage.
A red velvet curtain lies strewn over the edges of the stage. Instead of guarding the stage, it delineates a deconstruction of traditional structure, accurately setting the tone for the show.
Marcel Dorney’s script is rich with concepts and takes exciting swings through the dialogue, mixing period-specific language with more contemporary slang and phrases. There’s a lot Dorney has to say, which is invigorating.
I would have loved more of a focus on Anna’s character to bring these ideas down to a more human level that we, as the audience, can connect with. Stripping back some of these lines could have helped clarify some of the vision, which at times gets muddled by how much is itching to be covered.
These are creatives with a great deal to say, and a voice that is only beginning to find its full force. The breadth of creative expression on display in Saints signals real promise. It’s more than enough reason to keep a close eye on Elbow Room’s future work.
Saints is presented by Elbow Room Theatre and runs to 27 February at La Mama Courthouse. 349 Drummond Street Carlton Vic 3053.
Tickets are available here.
Website: https://www.lamama.com.au/whats-on/la-mama-presents-2026/s-a-i-n-t-s
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/elbow_room_theatre/ and https://www.instagram.com/lamamatheatre/
Photo credits: Darren Gill
