Belvoir St Theatre stages lengthy adaptation of Olga Tokarczuk's eco-thriller novel

Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney presents a stage adaptation of Olga Tokarczuk's 2009 novel 'Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead,' directed by Eamon Flack. The production runs until 10 May and features Pamela Rabe as Janina Duszejko, an eccentric older woman living in rural Poland who believes animals are taking revenge on local hunters. At three-and-a-half hours with two intervals, the faithful adaptation has been criticized for its excessive length and pacing issues. While Rabe delivers a powerful performance with emotional range, and supporting actors Bruce Spence and Colin Moody impress, the play suffers from scenes that drag unnecessarily. Romanie Harper's versatile set design, Ella Butler's costumes, and Morgan Moroney's lighting effectively create atmospheric storms and mystical elements. Despite these strengths, the production feels bloated and would benefit from significant editing to sharpen its dramatic impact.