In terms of holding up a mirror to bad behaviour by men, there is nothing quite as illuminating as women playing men acting appallingly. So it is in the cut through Savages, written with bite by Patricia Cornelius and directed by Kitan Petkovski, who is all in.
Four old mates are taking the cruise of a lifetime and there is no shortage of shit talking, plus more than a few home truths explored. The quartet of 40-year-olds is genuinely excited to be heading out together on a two-week voyage, even if their cabin is a tiny dogbox, below sea level, without a porthole.
None are clean skins. They have taken their fair share of hits. Marriages have ended. One, in particular, plays around incessantly. Another has never experienced adult love. Still, there is plenty of bravado in play.
After donning their finest clobber, they go on the prowl. Making sweet moves on the dance floor and downing a succession of drinks, they are determined to score and won’t be taking “no” for an answer.
First performed by four male actors at fortyfivedownstairs 13 years ago, Savages was inspired by the death of Diane Brimble on a P&O cruise ship in 2002. It is a no holds barred look at masculinity and misogyny, incorporating anger, bitterness and disappointment.
From its confrontational start, which sees four figures crawling around a ship’s deck and brawling, suggesting that men are no better than dogs, Savages erupts. At first, I thought it was too verbiage dense, but I quickly came to realise that it was Cornelius’ way of sheeting home a point. Soon enough that point became a huge punctuation mark thanks to the fine efforts of the four cast.
Nicci Wilks, AYA, Zoe Boesen and Laila Thaker expose the vulnerabilities and shortcomings of their respective characters, Runt, Rabbit, George and Craze. And what we see is mighty ugly – sickening, in fact. But this is where huge credit must go to the foursome because they provoke an emotional audience response.
It is all there in Cornelius’ writing, but this is where Petkovski’s direction too is invaluable in terms of the journey he takes us on. The simple two-tier cruise ship set design by set and costume designer Bianca Pardo works a treat, transporting us to the heart of the action. Her costuming choices are evocative. None more so that when the four all pile into (and I do mean into) the one suitcase (I am not kidding) for an exposed costume change towards the end of the piece.
Harrie Hogan’s lighting design reflects mood shifts. The sound design and composition by Jess Keeffe switches tempo – from loud and pulsating to mellow – most effectively. Ninety minutes without interval, Savages is strong, unapologetic theatre that resonates and reviles. It is on at Theatre Works until 12th September, 2026.
Alex First
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- In the Club (Theatre Works) – theatre review
- Bad Boy (fortyfivedownstairs) – theatre review
- RUNT (fortyfivedownstairs) – theatre review
Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.