★★★★☆
La Boite Theatre and Playlab Theatre present Second Coming, a spectacular and humorous take on leaving this world for another.
Set in 2065, this world premiere, directed by Ian Lawson, imagines a future where Earth is burning, and humanity’s last hope lies in an ambitious mission to save its remaining species and transport them to Mars, the new ‘Second Eden.’
GENESIS, the corporate superpower behind the mission, has commissioned the project, selling salvation through a slick marketing campaign. Its commander, Zane, played by comedian and actor Darren Gilshenan, appears via a giant digital screen, delivering calls to the crew from his position of power. His trillionaire status gives the character a distinctly Elon Musk-like quality.
The crew are on an ambitious expedition to save the animals of an Earth that is nearing destruction, regenerating preserved animal species on an alternative viable planet. However, all is not as it seems.
Playwright Kathryn Marquet’s greatest achievement is the way she has created four very different central characters, brought vividly to life by the on-stage cast, who seamlessly interact with one another, displaying marvellous chemistry.
Staunchly leading the mission as Zara Chen is the talented Merlynn Tong. She is bold and owns the stage as the feisty and mighty Captain. Zara is loyal to Zane and the GENESIS mission but finds herself increasingly at odds with her crew.
As Evie Messina, Ashlee Lollback plays the scientist responsible for keeping the endangered animals alive on their new planet. Lollback is beautifully earnest in her role.
She is joined by her bumbling husband, Alan Smith, played by Anthony Standish, who serves a a ‘trailing spouse.’ Standish delivers an authentic portrayal of a partner wanting attention from his otherwise engaged wife.
The crowd favourite is Gideon Mzembe playing Noah Kendrick. Handsome and self-absorbed, Kendrick delivers witty one-liners alongside his expertise in horticulture.
As the play tracks the crew’s journey to Mars, it is punctuated by calls from their eccentric financier Zane and the crew’s livestreams back to Earth. The livestreams feature commercials and funny choreography, creating some of the production’s most entertaining moments. They also highlight the contrast between Evie’s ethical concerns and the commercialised nature of the mission.
Lawson’s direction keeps the pace consistently strong. The set, costumes, lighting, sound and technology are all impressive, thanks to the team including Bill Haycock, Wil Hughes, Geoff Squires and Nevin Howell.
Marquet’s well-crafted script offers a moral commentary on what colonising another planet might look like. The writing is magic, interweaving serious and poignant moments that ponder the consequences of the corruption and destruction of Earth with wit and much-needed comic relief.
The script is also rich with references to literature, including the Bible, Rudyard Kipling and Jane Austen. It combines classical themes of morality with a futuristic setting involving AI, highlighting the difference between humanity and technology.
By the play’s conclusion, audiences are left wondering whether the future we are heading towards risks forgetting what is really important. The effect is quite dystopian.
Second Coming is a thought-provoking and thoroughly entertaining production that deserves every success. It is polished and professionally delivered by a remarkably engaging cast. Bravo to all involved.
Second Coming is presented by La Boite Theatre and Play Lab Theatre and runs to 22 August at the Roundhouse Theatre. 6 Musk Avenue Kelvin Grove 4059.
Tickets: https://tickets.laboite.com.au/events
Website: https://laboite.com.au/shows/second-coming
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/laboitetheatre/
Photo credits: Stephen Henry
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