The Visitors at Sydney Theatre Company, 20 September 2023

Reviewed by Sumaya Sultana

The Visitors at Sydney Theatre Company was an experience that left me reflecting weeks after my viewing of the performance. Wesley Enoch’s rendition of Jane Harrison’s speculative play is beautifully thought provoking, asking modern audiences to reflect on a colonial past and the possibility of a different future. 

Harrison retells the story of the 20th of January, 1788, as her play revolves around seven Eora leaders as they respond to the nawi – boats – that have appeared on the horizon; the First Fleet. They spend the play asking questions, revealing information and responding to the imminent strangers whilst also dissecting the importance of hospitality, even in the face of sickness and possible danger.

The entire cast is incredibly skilled. The seven clan leaders: Joseph Wunujaka Althouse as Lawrence, Luke Carrol as Gordon, Elaine Cromby as Jaky, Guy Simon as Gary, Beau Dean Riley Smith as Albert and Dalara Williams as Wallace, are all able to draw out different emotions from audiences. I found myself constantly engaged in their thoughts and experiences – I felt irritated by Wallace and their flip flopping opinions, I felt pain and sympathy for Gordon in his final monologue and Lawrence’s weakening state. Their stage presence is overwhelming and their relationship with the rest of the cast as they deliberate and discuss feels legitimate and enraptures the audience as they make up their minds as well. 

The set immediately shocks in its realism and serves well, as not only do cast members regularly interact with it but it also emboldens focus in a simple yet worthwhile fashion. I felt that the costumes were so pivotal in the play as a stark reminder of the unfortunate timelessness of Indigenous struggle in regards to land rights and institutional discrimination, and the final reveal’s incorporation of Aboriginal art was mesmerising and honestly made me a bit emotional. The production team’s work was significant in creating the mood and atmosphere of the play: I felt immersed but also a deep sense of discomfort knowing the contemporary reality of Indigeneity, which was only bolstered by their skill, in particular of designer Elizabeth Gadsby. 

Enoch’s emphasis on audience reconsideration in regards to the Australian past and what we can do for the Australian future is pushed throughout The Visitors as his directorial input shapes the play, particularly shown through the well done blocking of characters, in particular Wallace, and its contribution to the play. I felt that the pacing was a bit slow however the overall dialogue and characterisation made up for it. 

The audience seemed to be deeply immersed in the play. There was laughter at the right times but a very deep silence in the most climactic moments where it was easy to surmise a deep empathy within the seats. Personally I felt that the play was immensely successful in making audiences gain a deeper understanding into Indigenous perspectives, especially in regard to Enoch’s involvement of the Indigenous Futurism movement and re-interpretations of the past. 

The Visitors at Sydney Theatre Company, under Wesley Enoch’s direction, proves to be a powerfully resonant performance that skillfully navigates Indigenous perspectives on Australia’s colonial past. With a compelling cast, evocative set design, and thought-provoking themes, the play not only engages emotions but prompts essential reflections on history. You can still grab tickets here.