SNAKEFACE - Review

Date of Performance: 11 April 2025 
Reviewed by: Bridget Whitford 
📸 by Abraham de Souza

Three Words: Poetic. Imaginative. Dynamic 

Watch if you feel like: Seeing how a classic tale can be updated with a modern lens 

Best Line of Dialogue: 'But statutory auto corrects to stationary!' 

Lighting: All AV, sound & lighting aspects should be commended on how they work as a whole – The club music, the poetry on the back screen & the shift from suburbia to nightclub keeps the audiences senses engaged and stimulated at times where the poeticism of the script may not be enough to keep them engaged for too long. 

Set/Costume: The use of a large clay block Aliyah rips apart is visceral and clever, especially in a space as intimate as Belvoir 25A. It's a beautiful ode to the Medusa story and the creative team should be proud of such a clever incorporation into the design. 

Acting: Aliyah Knight pours their heart into the titular character. They are capable of stillness, simplicity and also raw strength, showing us a multifaceted modern day protagonist. One performer shows can be a challenge, requiring someone who understands every beat of the script and is dynamic enough to ensure the audience's attention doesn't waver. This is where Knight's dual role as writer of the play is extremely handy. 

Writing: The script starts extremely strong (When you hear the first line, you'll understand why!) Knight's writing is poetic, witty and beautifully crafted. The middle does somewhat lag – It is the type of show that requires the audience to be switched on and to ideally have some prior knowledge of the Medusa tale. The decision to not tell the story in a linear narrative does mean remembering who's who and the arc of the protagonist sometimes gets challenging. There are a few moments that don't seem to progress the story but seem to be incorporated just because it is a well-written piece of poetic text. However, the script thankfully ends in a strong place and Knight ensures we remain wrapped into Maddie's journey right until the end. 

Directing: Bernadette Fam has directed this piece with heart and it's clear there is a trusting relationship with Knight that ensures a strong performance can be elicited from the lead performer. Aside from the spectacle of the nightclub scenes, it’s a play that requires a director engaged in the emotional life of the lead character and Fam does that expertly. 

My review in emojis: 🐍🔮💃 

Diamond Rating (out of 5): 💎💎💎💎 

Runs until: 27 April 

Tickets can be bought at: https://belvoir.com.au/productions/snakeface/  

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