9minds is one of the many fabulous independent theatre companies hidden in Melbourne.  Kill the Wolf is a script that deserves to be seen and admired. I wish more people had the chance.

It’s hard to get an audience when you’re competing against the Comedy Festival and your limited resources are fully dedicated to making good theatre. Sometimes it’s frustrating to work in a creative world where only a handful of people witness beautiful works of art.

I saw 9minds original workshop production of Kill the Wolf at Dantes last year. I was curious to see how it worked in a bigger space and what changes were made. The cuts and changes work well. The structure and arcs are tighter and we were not as distracted by Rose.  Thank goodness venues like Dantes support new scripts. Like any work of art, plays need an audience’s reaction to develop.

Tim Nolan’s writing ably reveals relationships and characters, blends exposition with action, balances content with drama, and takes us to unexpected emotional places. It’s well structured, authentic, original, emotional, skilled writing. What more can we ask for? There is something missing in the transition to the final act revelation and climax. The pace falls slightly and maybe the coach needs to be foreshadowed more. The tennis ball was good, but not enough to make the audience go – Ohhhhhhhhhhhh.

Lee Mason, Chris Bunworth and Marcella Russo all deliver consistent outstanding performances. Each creates empathy, without ever making us feel sorry for or their uniquely flawed characters. Lucy Freeman’s direction is atmospheric. She ably blends the theatrical with the naturalistic, creating a work that grabs your attention and sneaks up on you emotionally.

This is terrific theatre. Keep an eye on this company; I’m sure there are even better things to come.