The latest treat of the Old Fitz Theatre’s new Late Night program of subterranean pub theatre comes in the darkly comedic form of The Eisteddfod – a weird little world penned by Lally Katz, and brought back to life two decades after its debut by co-directors Miranda Middleton and Jessica Bell, and up-and-coming performers Ziggy Resnick (Feminazi) and Fraser Crane (Dumb Kids).
Two orphaned siblings, Abalone and Gerture, live alone. To pass the time, they make up and act out stories. Some of their stories are more realistic than others, but for Abalone, the realest one is about the Eisteddfod – a competition, a goal, and a way to remember their mother through constant rehearsal, rehearsal, rehearsal.
Like many of Katz’s works, The Eisteddfod is threaded with a twisted sense of humour which slowly unravels throughout the piece, sometimes pushing into uncomfortable places. Resnick’s Abalone and Crane’s Gerture revel in the light and shade of the writing – playing off each other’s silliness and sadness with dexterity and obvious delight. As part of the creative team’s unconventional process, the two performers experimented with both roles before they were cast. By scrapping expected gender norms, the actors are allowed the freedom to inhabit the characters they each feel more authentically aligned with, which brings a juicy extra layer to their performances.
The performance takes place on the set of Sport for Jove’s Isolde & Tristan (currently playing the Fitz's early show slot) which is a large, shiny black ship complete with a trap door. At times, the repurposed set can seem clumsy, but the makeshift curtains draped across the stage and the projections of childish chalkboard writing lean into the sense of whimsical nostalgia. A homage to storytelling and to childhood imagination, this play is also about those who tell stories in order to survive.
A wonderfully strange piece of theatre staged in the darkest part of the night, The Eisteddfod is exactly what the Old Fitz’s Late Night program is made for. Clocking in at just under an hour, it’s an experiment, a rough and ready performance experience, and a taste of something different.
The Eisteddfod is playing a limited season until May 31, 2024, at 9.15pm. Tickets start at $25+bf and you can snap yours up over here.
Why not make it a double bill of pub theatre? Mainstage play Isolde & Tristan is playing the Fitz's earlier slot at 7pm. Booking a ticket to both shows will automatically apply a 20% discount at checkout.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, travel inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.