Review: Blue at State Theatre Centre of WA

Blue at State Theatre Centre of WA
Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Blue is written by Thomas Weatherall, known to many from Heartbreak High, and directed by Ian Wilkes. This production of the play from Black Swan Theatre Company goes beyond mere performance to touch the very core of the human experience.

Blue is a raw exploration of deeply rooted themes—grief, identity, love in many forms, and letting go. With a delivery that is as haunting as it is compelling, the play unfolds through a one-man show. Owen Hasluck, in his remarkable mainstage debut, offers a performance that will leave a painful lump in your throat and a tightness in your chest. As the protagonist, he is the very soul of the play, not faltering for a second and embodying the complexities of his character with a boyish exploration of the ordinary, yet he elevates ordinary life to the realm of the profound. As he grapples with love amidst the shadows of loss, his journey completely resonates with genuine emotion. This is emotive storytelling at its finest.

The visual elements are perfectly executed. Lighting and soundscape create an atmosphere that captures the audience’s imagination, while the minimalist set directs focus squarely on Hasluck’s performance. The mirrors are perfectly placed, and at key moments reflect the audience’s emotions back to them. It’s an exercise in restraint that pays dividends, complementing the play’s introspective narrative.

Owen Hasluck’s portrayal becomes a reflection of our own vulnerabilities and triumphs. Here is a production that achieves what all great art aspires to do: it holds a lens to life and, in doing so, offers a shared moment of introspection, a tale told with authenticity and skill. It’s raw and unforgettable and will make you want to hold those closest to you a little bit tighter.

SARA LEOPARD

Photos by Daniel Grant