When performance makers decide to take on BIG MINING on our stages here in WA, I continue to be both worried and excited by their act of ‘biting the hand that feeds’ them. For even if the productions are not receiving direct or indirect support from the state’s big money machines, we’re all entangled in it somehow just by virtue of us living here, whether we like it or not.
FIFO is a David vs Goliath critique of mining told from the underground; 5 workers’ stories intersect and sometimes collide deep beneath the earth, in dongas, in pubs, and in secret makeshift driving ranges. Each character reveals their backstories and internal conflicts, and some have secrets they need to keep locked down tight. They’re all at the mercy of their paychecks and their team because it might come down to life or death if one of them makes a careless mistake.
FIFO’s strong ensemble cast includes Tamara Creasy, St John Cowcher, Tristan McIness, Jono Battista, and Jordan Valentini under the direction of Mark McDonald. The script, written by a team of co-devisors (Mark McDonald, Tamara Creasy, Jono Battista, Jackson Vaughan, and Jared Barkla) is enhanced by a decent helping of physical theatre that sets the scene and renders the show’s dramatic climax through movement when words fall short. The dialogue generally takes a straightforward approach in scenes, with a couple of nicely crafted and genuinely delivered monologues to highlight the show’s themes. There is a brief use of verbatim audio recordings from partners and family of FIFO workers which brings in perspectives we didn’t hear from directly in the dialogue.
FIFO gets its points across clearly and methodically, and represents many of the dark parts of mining with sincerity and without downplay. Many families, partners, and FIFO workers themselves will probably find a great deal to resonate with in the play, even when it actively tries to counter the gold-plated, rose-coloured glasses that big mining would prefer us to wear.
CICELY BINFORD
FIFO ran at the State Theatre Centre of WA from 2 – 4 February as part of State of Play at FRINGE WORLD. For more information click here.
