When the Rain Stops Falling – Black Swan

Walking into the theatre knowing little more than a grandfather predicts a fish will fall from the sky, only for this to eventuate eighty years later at the feet of his grandson in 2039, wary intrigue quickly gives way to breathless exhilaration. When the Rain Stops Falling is a charming and convoluted story that redefines bizarre. 

Black Swan State Theatre Company Venue: Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre of Western Australia
Wednesday 2 November 2011
Walking into the theatre knowing little more than a grandfather predicts a fish will fall from the sky, only for this to eventuate eighty years later at the feet of his grandson in 2039, wary intrigue quickly gives way to breathless exhilaration. When the Rain Stops Falling is a charming and convoluted story that redefines bizarre. 
Spanning more than eighty years from cramped 1950s London to desolate Alice Springs in 2039, the intricate relationship within and between two families over four generations is used to explore the question of inheriting legacy, self-destruction, and family ties. The darker side of human nature surfaces in the form of abandonment and regret, while slivers of hope divide the drama to stave off unease. 
Curious Gabriel Law and lonely Gabrielle York, Scott Sheridan and Fiona Pepper respectively, are the driving characters set in 1988. Together they discover the murky truth about their ancestry and leave their own secrets for the future. The desire to know and understand is conveyed in a tenderly relatable manner by the two actors. It’s grounding and genuine amidst the surreal performance and disjunctive chronology.  
The play’s first impression is visually alarming and fresh, appropriately formulating a turbulent yet solemn atmosphere. Bryan Woltjen’s set design is strikingly unique. The slanted stage generates almost an optical illusion effect, with no inch of the space unused. An endless staircase opens even the highest level as Uluru. Coupled with Ben Collins’ sobering sound design, the mood becomes immediately softened.  
It’s easy to become lost in the timeline of the characters, however it’s ultimately less important to connect the dots and more critical to let the journey reveal the answers. The intimate and unsettling nature of the exchanges between Alison Van Reeken as a younger Elizabeth Law and Steve Turner as Henry Law are of particular note, evoking the feeling of intrusion in the audience.   
Ensured by Claudia Alessi, no moment is void of stylised movement. Past, present and future intersect, with different versions of the same character sharing space in the concise, rapid scenes. Repetition in the dialogue embodies the way pieces of parents stay with their children, creating a link between generations. This is enhanced as vastly separate times run consecutive to one another.  
When the Rain Stops Falling is in no way mindless entertainment; the involved nature of Andrew Bovell’s enchanting and enriching story demands thought. Subtle and bitter humour takes the edge off unpleasant coincidences, and the characters’ disastrous lives and broken families. Compelling, insightful and epic, this visually enlightening performance gets the pulse racing, the cogs ticking and the heart aching.  
Bookings: www.bsstc.com.au / (08) 6212 9300Saturday 29 October – Sunday 13 November 2011 Photo: Julia Moody, Steve Turner, Scott Sheridan, Fiona Pepper, Igor Sas, Vivienne Garrett, Alison van Reeken. Image by Gary Marsh