Us/Them is a tender and unique performance addressing the real-life events of the 2004 Beslan School Siege. Originally premiered in 2017 for Edinburgh Fringe, this is the first time the show has been brought to Australia at Flight Path Theatre. Belgium writer, Carly Wijs, has written a powerful one-hour performance based on frightening historical events. 

 

The story follows two young students, Boy (Sam Martin) and Girl (Rebekah Parsons), who find themselves caught in a siege. They are among 1,100 people, including 777 children, taken hostage at School Number One in Beslan, Russia, on the first day of the school year. I went into the theatre not knowing anything about the Beslan School siege. As the storyline unravelled, I learnt I was just two when this devastation occurred. 

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It was disappointing to see the theatre not even half full for opening night. Sam Martin and Rebekah Parsons did not let some empty seats impact their strong leading performances. Both actors’ portrayal of the school children was nuanced and delicate; the characterisation was so strong and built with clear physical mannerisms (like rolling around in the chalk). These actors skilfully portrayed a range of other characters, narration and even moments of hallucinations. This fast-paced show encompasses the experience of the young children with fluidity in a narrative that really took us on a journey. 

 

The direction of Sammy Jing and Jess Ramsey guided a strong tone of the piece alongside the eerie sound design by Andy Freeborn. Set and costume designer Elle Fitzgerald made simple but effective costume choices. But the set was a real stand-out. The set was built meticulously to create tension. What looks like an empty stage is a chalkboard of possibilities, where the actors have full range to play and draw across the stage. The string across the stage represents the wires that outlined the school where in one movement the string could be touched and a bomb could be set off. This staging would be tricky to work with as an actor to not hit the strings accidentally, but the actors performed brilliantly within the set.

 

This show has huge potential and I would love to see some more publicity to gain more audience traction! I would love to see this production in a larger independent theatre in Sydney because I think that full audiences would really draw an impact for a work that deserves to be seen by many.  

 

All elements of this show worked so well together, I have not been this captured by a theatre show in so long. The cutting-edge script, unique set design and experienced actors had us all on the edge of our seats and hearts out for the students’ survival. I commend the team for producing such a compelling performance of this script. 

Us/Them is on for a limited time until the 9th of November. I highly recommend going to see this intriguing show. Tickets can be bought here