Theatre Review: 37

 The Play: 37

The Theatre: The Southbank Theatre

The Company: Melbourne Theatre Company

Stars: 5

Until 5 April

A play about football, in Melbourne. Who knew?

Well, I walked into this play blind, only knowing that it had something to do about football, and that was it. I left the theatre thoroughly entertained, my mind-blown and heart full. 37 is going to go down as one of the stars of the 2024 Melbourne Theatre Company season. 

I loved this play. It brought back elements of my childhood, hanging out at the footy club and the wonder of our national game. Overlaying this is some of the not so good elements football can bring - in particular racism. 

What's it really about, you ask. Well, the local footy team in a coastal town haven't won a premiership ever. They're coming up the ladder and have enlisted two Marngrook men, Jayma (Ngali Shaw) and his cousin Sonny (Tibian Wyles), the best aboriginal players from the next town to play with them for the year. In joining the team, The guys experience very different things, from being part of a team, to systemic racism, to working out where their boundaries lie. The men have very different experiences, Jayma being the young buck, while Sonny is older, with family responsibilities, is looking for some stability to provide for his family. 

In the background, there's the General (Sid Brisbane) who's just trying to get a premiership, Joe (Ben O'Toole), the team captain, who takes the boys under his wing, Woodsy (Eddie Orton) the very conservative player whose parents are financially supporting the team, and Dazza (Anthony Standish) the player who should be superannuated, but is still playing, as well as being on the board. 

Set in 2015, this play brings in the treatment of Adam Goodes and his stand against racism which was all over the papers at the time. I still remember being horrified at public's treatment of him at the time. the title of the play relates back to Adam Goodes. I won't say any more. 

What brings this play together is the choreographed football scene, which Isaac Drandic and Waagenga Blanco have set up brilliantly. The cast act as a team in all ways - and the choreography is an integral part of this. Nathan Maynard's script is fantastic and Isaac Drandic's direction in brilliant. 

I can't recommend this play enough. It has about a week to run. Unexpectedly good, I was tempted to get to my feet. It's what good theatre is about - thought provoking, funny, fast-paced and very entertaining. 

I've very glad I got to see this wonderful production. 

Today's song: