Venue: Belvoir St Theatre (Surry Hills NSW), Feb 1 – Mar 2, 2024
Playwright: Nia Vardalos (from the book by Cheryl Strayed)
Directors: Lee Lewis
Cast: Stephen Geronimos, Mandy McElhinney, Nic Prior, Angela Nica Sullen
Images by Brett Boardman
Theatre review
Tiny Beautiful Thing was originally a book compiled of Cheryl Strayed’s essays, from her “Dear Sugar” anonymous advice column. Transposing her powerful words from an online literary magazine, to the stage is a real challenge. The author’s intentions are present not only in the content, but also in the form in which she had written, and turning into a play, something meant for reading on devices, proves a formidable task.
Without actual characters or real scenes of interaction, it is debatable whether this adaptation by Nia Vardalos, ever earns our meaningful investment into Tiny Beautiful Thing‘s endless range of strangers’ conundrums. Direction by Lee Lewis attempts to humanise the recitation of previously disembodied words, helping us form an affiliation especially with Strayed’s alter ego Sugar, who is central to every editorial piece. Actor Mandy McElhinney is certainly sympathetic in the role, becoming gradually poignant as we slowly warm to Sugar’s unusual vocation.
Set and costume design by Simone Romaniuk establishes a a context of domesticity, from which we can perceive an ordinariness, or universality perhaps, of Strayed’s life experiences. Lights by Bernie Tan-Hayes emphasise the inherent melancholy of all these people’s search for answers. Brady Watkins’ music and sound coax us into a state of tenderness, so that we may regard these vignettes with sensitivity.
Advice columns have existed for centuries, providing not only insight and solutions, but also reminding individuals that we are not alone. In this social media age, where all we see are varnished and filtered images, we often find ourselves isolated, with personal problems that feel unique and particular. It is no wonder that “Dear Sugar” and its many variations persist. There will never come a time when our humanity is void of struggle, but the more we are able to see in one another, the inevitability of our tumult and anxieties, the more we can, ironically, attain a sense of peace.
Suzy Goes See 