Solaris

Solaris poses the age-old existential question: is there something out there? Spell-bindingly mysterious and packed with emotion, Malthouse Theatre’s new show shatters prevailing constructs of time and consciousness. Past becomes present for four lowly human scientists on the planet of Solaris. Starring Please Like Me’s Keegan Joyce, Wentworth and Looking for Alibrandi’s Leeanna Walsman and Hugo Weaving (in video form), Solaris is the science-fiction play of the year.   

Originally penned in 1962 by Stanislaw Lem, the classic sci-fi romanticises space travel and uses the vastness of space as a backdrop of loneliness and regret. Isolated on a space station, the four scientists are driven mad by their inability to communicate and connect with other people and begin to communicate with the peculiar planet itself.  

In the 2019 version written by David Greig, Dr Kris Kelvin (Walsman) arrives at the space station to find what’s left of the crew to be a sleep-deprived and irritable bunch. Kris is ushered to her pod and upon waking, she is greeted by the ghost of her former lover Ray (Joyce). Frightened by her “visitor”, she vanquishes him. She relays the strange series of events to fellow crew members Dr Satorius (Jade Ogugua) and Dr Snow (Fode Simbo) who disagree about the “visitors’” (yes, plural) purpose and motivations.

Turning to the wise musings of Dr Gibarian (Weaving), who urges her to connect with Solaris, Kris decides to face her past and falls for Ray all over again. All in the name of science, supposedly.

A round of applause goes to the well-deserving Leeanna Walsman for her gripping portrayal. Walsman masterfully battles the science–faith debate in every scene. It was fascinating to see her peel back the layers of the steadfast scientist to reveal the character’s vulnerability and yearning to recreate her past. Keegan Joyce brought his comedic energy to the role of Ray and didn’t fail. In particular, the science experiment dressed up as a “tapas” and cocktail dinner party shined an impressive light on all the cast. The group scenes were by far my favourite!

Solaris may be other-worldly, strange and alien to humankind, but it perfectly encapsulates the human condition of regret and loss, and love and connection.

Solaris
Till Sunday, 21 July 2019
Malthouse Theatre, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank, 3006
malthousetheatre.com.au/whats-on/solaris

Images: Pia Johnson