Director Dave Simms’ thoughtful and intimate version of this Australian classic by Andrew Bovell has not been done in Adelaide for 10 years. Some plays you need to experience at different stages of your life and this timeless, intense drama invites appreciation from each new generation of audience.
This is quite a demanding play for an audience but the effort is certainly worth it. From the opening surreal moment when a fish falls from the sky in the dessert our senses are alerted to the fact that this is not conventional storytelling. Bovell’s play is set from 1959 to 2039, from Alice Springs, the Coorong, Adelaide and London and across four generations of families. We are introduced to the young and older versions of the same characters who sometimes appear together as the action skips forwards and backwards across the decades and some actors play multiple roles. It is an intriguing way to tell the story, which might be confusing for some but memories, recollections and experiences across decades are often exactly this. Lives aren’t orderly and linear and family resemblances are real and meaningful.
When The Rain Stops Falling by Andrew Bovell
Presented by Blue Sky Theatre
Directed by Dave Simms
July 24 – August 2 2026, Domain Theatre, Marion Cultural Centre
There is a laundry list of themes contained in Bovell’s classic; they are all sensitively treated and earn their place. Abandonment, forgiveness, family secrets, betrayal, trust and above all, love set against surreal elements of a climate event. There is also humour and a very convincing romantic affair between Laura Antoniazzi as young Gabrielle and Leighton Vogt as Gabriel Law which captures the euphoria of first love beautifully.
The strong lyrical quality and rhythm of Bovell’s language is reminiscent of stories told through epic poems. The repetition of phrases repeated across the years reinforces family connections and earth events and serves as a warning or explantion.
The ensemble of actors needed to bring all these jigsaw pieces together and make us care about the outcome include Laura Antoniazzi, Bart Csorba, Imogen Deller-Evans, Fahad Farooque, Nicole Rutty, Leighton Vogt and Tracey Walker. Their understanding of their backstory is evident and they manage to reveal the mysteries and conflict withing the story with sensitivity and perfect pace.
Simms has allowed the story and characters to occupy the space by keeping the main set uncluttered. A simple colour theme and the symbolism of the rain and potential flood is augmented with umbrellas suspended above the action. No distractions, just raw drama enhanced by subtle, ominous sounds by Dave Simms and Lucy Johnson and lighting by Jack Kendall.
There was also some extra waterworks amongst the audience but Blue Sky have kindly provided packets of tissues for those who succumb to the heart wrenching last scene.
Blue Sky Theatre Productions has a loyal following for good reason. Whether it’s comedy or drama you know that director Dave Simms and Chair Angela Short will have tapped into some of our best actors, creatives and production people to present theatre with a purpose. My tip is to get yourself on their mailing list for any hope of snagging a ticket to their next Blue Sky In the Garden production, The Three Musketeers, January 2027.
Playwright Andrew Bovell is renowned for his work in theatre, film, and television. His hits include Things I Know to Be True, The Secret River in the Adelaide Festival, the screenplay for the movie Strictly Ballroom, and Lantana, based on his award-winning stage play Speaking in Tongues.
– Vicki Arnold
Tickets: TryBooking
blueskytheatre.com.au
