Lazarus review: poignant play is a rallying cry for justice
A review of the play Lazarus, which tells the true story of Taungurung Elder Larry Walsh, a member of the Stolen Generations who was given a criminal record as a toddler. The play, directed by Kamarra Bell-Wykes and written by John Harding, uses three actors to portray Walsh at different ages. It runs at Theatre Works in Melbourne until June 6. The review notes some issues with line delivery by actor Sermsah Bin Saad on opening night but praises the overall impact.
Key facts
- Lazarus is a play about Taungurung Elder Larry Walsh.
- Walsh was forcibly taken from his mother at age two and placed in a Salvation Army boys' home.
- He was given a criminal record as a toddler without being told.
- The play is directed by Kamarra Bell-Wykes and written by John Harding.
- Three actors portray Walsh: Nathan Wright, Riley Warner, and Sermsah Bin Saad.
- Teresa Moore plays multiple roles including Walsh's mother.
- The play runs at Theatre Works in Melbourne until June 6.
- Sermsah Bin Saad stumbled over lines on opening night and used a script.
Entities
Artists
- Sermsah Bin Saad
- Kamarra Bell-Wykes
- John Harding
- Nathan Wright
- Riley Warner
- Teresa Moore
- Larry Walsh
- Jack Charles
- Justin Green
- Tim Bonser
- Cobie Orger
- Todd Bennett
- Stephen A Russell
Institutions
- Theatre Works
- Yirramboi festival
- Salvation Army
- ScreenHub
- ArtsHub
- Fairfax
- SBS
- Flicks
- Time Out
- The Saturday Paper
- The Big Issue
- Metro magazine
- Joy FM
Locations
- Melbourne
- Australia
- St Kilda
- Victoria