Are we not drawn onward to new erA (Roslyn Packer Theatre)★★★

Created by Ontroerend Goed. Sydney Festival. Roslyn Packer Theatre. 16-20 Jan, 2024.

Are we not drawn onward to new erA, the palindromic (or should that be palin-dramatic?) show from Belgian theatre company Ontroerend Goed challenges us to move forward and not lose hope in a world we continue to destroy – we can, and must, clean up our own mess.

As the cast assembled on stage, moving awkwardly and speaking gibberish the first thing that sprung to mind was the Red Room from Twin Peaks. Once you’ve figured out the concept it’s like playing a game. Can you figure out what they’re saying in reverse? Then as the action progresses and a tree is torn apart you wonder, how is that going to work when things are supposed to run backwards? You start to enjoy the physical comedy of it all – watching someone “pull” things across the stage that you know are actually being pushed instead.

Eventually the stage that started with a single tree, a man, a woman and an apple (Biblical much?) has been littered with plastic bags, broken pots and filled with smoke. Then, you get to watch the whole performance again in reverse. 

It’s a technical and choreographic achievement watching the live performance played back and seeing how the awkward movements become something as simple as walking across the room, or picking up a hammer. The gibberish dialogue turns into a story of people repairing the damage that has been done.

Which is wonderful, except… it all gets a bit boring. The sense of awe at the achievement can only go so far, rewatching a full 35-40 min of performance in reverse gets predictable. The looped music that plays with the video is even more annoying, drilling its way into your skull. There simply isn’t enough invention in the performance to keep it entertaining over the full running time. 

An admirable message delivered with a degree of technical invention rarely seen is worthy of applause and theatre-goers will enjoy Are we not drawn onward to new erA on that level. And let’s be honest, if you don’t see at least one show that leaves you a bit bewildered and intrigued then you’re just not doing Sydney Festival correctly.