The main event which steers the story in The Lovely Bones is horrific and spine-chilling. And yet, it is not a tale of fear. Quite the opposite. Hope, peace and solace are recurring themes. While not uplifting, the play provides an understanding of human failings and frailties.
The Lovely Bones centres around 14-year-old Susie Salmon (Sarah Maguire), who is lured into a trap on a cornfield by her middle-aged neighbour, Mr Harvey (Sean Taylor). She is molested, murdered and mutilated. Her limbs are locked away in a safe, which Mr Harvey later dumps in a sinkhole. As Susie’s parents Jack (Ted Crosby) and Abigail (Cassady Maddox Booth) agonise over the whereabouts of their daughter, Mr Harvey feigns empathy as he tells them he is “sorry for their loss.”
Jack and Abigail are confronted also with the emptiness of their relationship as it slowly withers. Jack’s grief torments and consumes him while Abigail regrets past decisions and finds comfort in the arms of another man. We also see how others are affected by Susie’s disappearance. Her sister Lindsay (Naomi Belet) finds purpose in her life and develops a new-found respect for her dad, both now determined to find Susie’s killer.
Susie’s quirky classmate Ruth (Kirsty Saville) is touched by the local events in a strange way. She forms a connection with Ray (Shiva Chandra), which enables Susie’s earthly “crush” to be lived out. Detective Len Fenerman (Brendan McBride) does his best to investigate Susie’s murder. However, suffering the loss of his wife from suicide, indirectly leads him to cross a professional boundary. Observing all these terrestrial happenings from heaven is Susie. Free of fear and misery, she narrates the story and intersperses personal feelings and thoughts.
This is an interesting literacy technique used by Alice Sebold, the writer of The Lovely Bones. She speculates on what the deceased may think of our daily decisions and hints that our intuitions may be directed from a spiritual source, without any suggestion of religious overtones.
Adapted for the stage by Bryony Lavary, The Lovely Bones is never dull, albeit a little lengthy. All the characters are convincingly played, especially the sinister Mr Harvey. Of course, the original novel had its beginnings from a real-life assault on the writer, so her passion is evident in the characterisations, script and plot. The production team has done an excellent job. Under the direction of Deborah Mulhall, the set, costumes, sound and lighting all complement the dark nature of the story.
Some of the issues raised in the play are confronting. However, these are a necessity if the intended favourable outcomes are to be appreciated in context.
A different kind of story, The Lovely Bones is suitable for those seeking greater depth and meaning in their lives.
Two hours plus interval, it is playing at New Theatre in Newtown until 18th December, 2021.
Paul Kiely
For more of Paul Kiely’s writings on theatre, check out Absolute Theatre
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Birdland (New Theatre) – theatre review
- Sunset Strip (New Theatre) – theatre review
- My Night with Reg (New Theatre) – theatre review
Paul Kiely reviews shows in Sydney for www.absolutetheatre.com.au. He joined the team in 2018.
