Sentimental writer collecting love stories. These are the five words that instigated a movement on one Brisbane street corner, which has since spread throughout the country, landing here at the Dunstan Playhouse.
The romantic request came from writer Trent Dalton of Boy Swallows Universe acclaim. The words plastered on a sign leaning against a fold-out table, sitting atop it, a 1960s sky blue Olivetti typewriter.
During the pandemic, in a time the world was aching to be reminded of the love that permeates our everyday lives, Dalton collected the personal stories of romance, familial love and friendship, documenting them in his book, Love Stories. Throughout the book, he weaves the stories of strangers on that street corner amongst love stories of his own, as well as his consummate observation of the romance of ordinary, everyday life.
Adapted for stage by Tim McGarry and directed by Sam Strong, the theatrical show takes these stories out of readers’ minds and places them right in front of their eyes – with a show of song and dance.
Perhaps to illustrate the point that we all have our own love stories – love is, in fact, all around – the audience is mirrored back to themselves on a screen to the rear of the stage displaying livestreamed footage. Broadcast across the screen are the audience’s own thoughts on love, which they’ve been asked to contribute before the show. Immediately, this is personal.
The symbolism of the illuminated lone sky blue Olivetti typewriter sitting centre stage is possibly just as sentimental as Dalton himself.
The moments of the stories plucked from the book are so varied they sit on the spectrum from comically absurd to painfully relatable. We’re ushered through the show from the outset by the likeable drum-playing Jean-Benoit (Rashidi Edward), whose tumultuous relationship with an ex forms his tale.
The genius of the show comes from an onstage camera operator (Tnee Dyer), who turns a theatre piece into snippets of a live film for us all to watch. With 10 cast members (including Dyer) often flitting in and out, the screen provides a focus point and emotional connection to the characters.
The filming genius is made possible with the help of Nerida Matthaei, choreographer and movement director, who has curated a sequence of blocking that gives the audience two entirely separate, yet seamless, experiences on screen and stage. We’re afforded an intimate look at characters among a throng of activity, most beautifully in a ballroom dancing scene filmed live, yet worthy of any silver screen.
The anchor of the show is the story between Husband (Jason Klarwein) and Wife (Michala Banas), two characters that emulate the story Dalton tells in the book of his own love story with his wife, Fiona.
Scattered between the recall of love and loss, Husband and Wife clash over the monotony of a decades-long love – an all-too-realistic look at the moments that happen between the fleeting ecstatic moments of romance.
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For the fierce lovers of Dalton’s book and the gentle reflection it provokes, the often-chaotic re-telling of the stories in such a fast-paced manner doesn’t always translate. However, a prior knowledge of the stories from the book creates a better experience – an already-established emotional attachment is almost necessary to enrich each tale.
Love Stories continues at the Dunstan Playhouse until March 16
Read more 2025 Adelaide Festival coverage here on InReview