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Back At The Dojo Analysis

Decent Essays

Premiering at Belvoir Theatre, Lally Katz semi-autobiographical play Back at the Dojo, unravels the wonders and difficulties of the human condition, and the fragilities and delicacies that life presents us with.

Upon entering the theatre, you are immediately swept into Mel Page’s logical and authentic representation of an Australian hospital room. Every detail - from the waiting room chairs, the sick bed, the toilet, the brightly lit corridor to the paneled windows complemented by the iconic venetian blinds and coved vinyl floor - all immaculately refined to create the perfect location for this ‘ravishing and nourishing story’. The plot is inspired by stories of Katz’s father’s life, her mixture of true stories, of magic realism, and Katz’s …show more content…

It is also during this space, that Danny meets Lois (Catherine Davies), his beloved wife, now, fighting for her life in the hospital bed.

There is something powerful about having Lois and Danny’s life played out vividly around them as they sit in a hospital room facing the end of their life journey. Using this mechanism of storytelling, Kohn marshals all the forces, with a deft hand, to amplify the poignancy of his message.

Back at the Dojo offers a myriad of characters, examining the profound connection that exists between generations. The cast is refreshing, through their success of transformational style acting. Shari Stevens brings life and energy to the stage through her energetic interpretation of Lois sister, and Fayssal Bazzi’s portrayal of Lois’s troubled brother is evocative.

As this performance drew to a close, Patti and her grandfather embraced each other, leaving me with an everlasting image of these two people inextricably connected by their grief and loneliness. Perhaps, it enlightened me to the power of love, through connection to family, but nonetheless it was a powerful moment, that resonated deeply with

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