Review: Barracking for the Umpire at Subiaco Arts Centre

Barracking for the Umpire at Subiaco Arts Centre
Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Directed by Clare Watson, Black Swan Theatre Company’s Barracking for the Umpire is a poignant and heartwarming play that kicks truly with its insightful portrayal of the typical Australian family and the shadow that our national obsession with sport casts over them.

The play revolves around the Williams family as, in the lead-up to patriarch Doug (Steve Le Marquand) receiving a lifetime achievement award from the local footy club, the children return home to commemorate the occasion. Flying in from Melbourne is Ben (Ian Wilkes), who has followed in his father’s footsteps and is currently playing at the game’s elite level, and Mena (Ebony McGuire), who has found her calling in life as a journalist. Eldest daughter, Charaine (Jo Morris), has far fewer frequent flyer points to her name given that she lives just around the corner from her parents, but all three seem relatively content with their lives and are happy to be reunited once again under the roof of the family home.

As the play's narrative unfurls, the value that society has ascribed to both Doug and Ben's on-field achievements is put under the microscope. In the local community, Doug's wife Delveen (Pippa Grandison) and Charaine both continue to live in the shadows of Doug's legacy as a great footballer, while Mena, who, despite having left home and built her own successful career, continues to be best known as the sister of Ben, the star footy player. On the opposing foot, while both Doug and Ben are grateful for the recognition they receive, they can also be seen as victims of the sport that they have sacrificed their bodies for and the expectations the public has imposed on them.

The play's script is a masterclass in getting to the point, marking playwright Andrea Gibbs’ debut as cause for celebration. In collaboration with dramaturg Polly Low, Gibbs has fused a wealth of experience from a myriad of artistic fields with her own lived experience growing up in country Western Australia to deliver a compelling narrative that addresses social issues head-on with nuance. Through what one can only imagine were brutal editing sessions, the script's economic use of words allows its meaning to reach the audience with maximum impact.

On stage, Steve Le Marquand's performance as Doug is masterful, embodying the glory and the toll of his character's sporting past with aplomb. Similarly, Pippa Grandison delivers an adroit performance, expertly extolling the silent strength that buoys the character of Delveen. Outside of the family, the dual roles of Joel Jackson are a true highlight of the show, as is Michael Abercromby’s portrayal of the bumbling Tom, with both actors adding great depth and humour to the play.

Barracking for the Umpire demonstrates the power of theatre to shine a light on the everyday and its ability to raise concerns in the public realm for reflection and discussion. The play's interaction with sports and its familiar setting within the family home give it a broad appeal, ensuring it will resonate not just with contemporary audiences but also with those well into the future.

MICHAEL HOLLICK

Photos by Daniel J Grant