Breaker Morant
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Comedians Theatre Company and Underbelly Productions
Fest
Phil Nichol has a lot on his plate these days. Not content with his nightly stand-up performance at the Stand, and starring in Killer Joe - another comedian-driven theatre production – Nichol has now turned his hand to directing. Perhaps he hibernates for the rest of the year?
With a cast made up largely of Australian comics, Breaker Morant tells the story of the eponymous folk hero Harry "Breaker" Morant, whose historical significance is greatly under-appreciated on these isles. It was Morant's execution by British court martial during the Boer War that, in part, led to huge anti-British sentiments in Australia, culminating in a refusal to ever again accept British army justice in cases involving its soldiers or civilians.
The play is a captivating critique of realpolitik, of the sacrificing of justice for strategic gain and the hypocrisy of empire-era Britain, its brutality and manipulation carried out under the banner of Victorian honour and decency.
Nichol's direction, along with that of his counterpart Tom Dale, keeps things ticking along nicely in a well-paced production. However the highlight of the piece is Brendon Burns' performance as Peter Hancock, portraying his brash and shouty contempt for British niceties to perfection. Sammy J is also particularly strong as a young lawyer in an exceptionally strong and nuanced performance.
Sadly, there is little discussion of the war's grey areas, the audience being left to unquestioningly accept the Nurenberg – "we were only following orders" – defence.
Additionally, very little of the historical context surrounding the court martial is revealed to those ignorant of early 20th-century Australian history (ie. everyone who has passed through the Scottish state education system), particularly with regard to the aftermath of Morant's execution, which could so easily be fixed by the inclusion of a brief epilogue.
These are, however, fairly insignificant criticisms of a solid and at times gripping production of true quality - one that is worth watching for Burns' performance alone.
Ben Judge
14 August 2007
