Perth Festival saves best until last with stunning take on American classic

August: Osage County — A Riveting Exploration of Family Dysunction

Last week, the Heath Ledger Theatre in Northbridge was electric with the première of Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning tragicomedy, August: Osage County. Directed by Eamon Flack, this play offers a searing look into the Weston family, whose dysfunction and personal battles resonate with audiences on a profound level. Set in a decaying Oklahoma farmhouse, the story is both deeply personal and universally relatable, exploring themes of family, trauma, and survival.

The Play’s Powerful Opening and Setup

The play opens with Beverly Weston (portrayed by Geoff Kelso), a disillusioned poet and alcoholic, introducing the fractured Weston family. His wife, Violet (played by Pamela Rabe), is a bitter, pill-popping matriarch whose belongings are as decaying as her marriage. Her mouth cancer serves as a poignant metaphor for the venom she spits at those around her. The family dynamics are further complicated by the arrival of Johnna Monevata, a young Native American caregiver hired by Beverly to look after Violet. This setup masterfully draws the audience into a world where every conversation is a battlefield.

The Dinner Scene: A Masterpiece of Tension and Humor

The play’s meandering first act erupts into its explosive second act with the infamous dinner scene. This is where the entire cast comes together to create a scene that is at once hilarious and agonizing. Violet’s relentless verbal attacks on her daughters – Barbara, Ivy, and Karen – are bothdatacringeworthy and darkly funny. Her acerbic wit slices through each daughter’s insecurities, setting the stage for both gasps and laughter. Violet’s failure to hold back her venom, whether attacking Barbara for her failed marriage or Karen for her lack of sex appeal, is matched only by the playwright’s sharp wit.

Brilliant Performances from an Exceptional Cast

The cast of August: Osage County is nothing short of exceptional. Pamela Rabe’s portrayal of Violet is forceful yet vulnerable, capturing the complexity of a woman who simultaneously loves and loathes those around her. Hayley McElhinney, as Barbara, delivers a standout performance, navigating the emotional complexities of a daughter caught between love, anger, and the need to escape her family’s toxic web. Geoff Kelso’s understated performance as Beverly rounds out the production, adding depth to the Weston family’s layered dysfunction. Supporting actors like Caroline Brazier and Anna Sampson add dimension to the ensemble, making the entire cast’s performance a triumph.

Audience Reaction — A Testament to the Play’s Impact

The audience’s response was nothing short of extraordinary. The dinner scene earned a mid-show standing ovation, a rare occurrence. By the end of the performance, the audience was on its feet, delighting in the cast’s three well-deserved curtain calls. The emotional journey, spanning three hours, left the audience breathless and eager for more, a testament to the play’s power.

Relevance and Reflection — A Mirror of America

August: Osage County transcends its Oklahoma setting, speaking to universal family struggles and the darker aspects of the American Dream. Violet’s relentless survival instinct, shaped by her Dust Bowl upbringing, reflects the desperation and resilience of those left behind by societal progress. The play’s exploration of guilt, regret, and the cyclical nature of family dysfunction leaves a lingering impact, urging reflection long after the curtain falls. Now playing until March 16, this production is a must-see for anyone seeking a raw, honest, and deeply human experience.