‘Tiny Beautiful Things’ // Queensland Theatre
‘Tiny Beautiful Things’ was soul-stirring.
I must confess that when I first heard about a stage adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s best-selling book ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’ at Queensland Theatre, I had my doubts. How on earth could a live performance capture the essence of an online advice column? And without a classic narrative format, wouldn’t the show risk becoming a bit repetitive?
Oh my, how wrong was I! The play, adapted by Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) and directed by Queensland Theatre’s Artistic Director Lee Lewis, had me laughing, crying (true), and nodding along to a degree I honestly did not expect.
Through a series of beautifully woven monologues and heart-to-heart conversations, ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’ takes the audience on an intimate, emotional journey as it delves into the life of Sugar, an advice columnist who offers guidance to a diverse range of lost soul letter writers.
In lieu of a more traditional storyline, the play progressively reveals the character of Sugar, someone who has wrestled with her own demons and emerged with a profound sense of empathy and resilience.
It needs to be said, the script, (which I assume to be faithful to Strayed’s original words), is really beautiful. It is no wonder ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’ is a best-seller, and Strayed the godmother/therapist/best friend everyone wished they had access to during their darkest moments. Her words felt so profound, yet so obvious, so full of wisdom, yet so vulnerable, so warm, yet so brutal.
Naturally, there is a fair bit of trauma that comes through the letters, and some of the heavier themes broached, including accounts of child abuse and parental grief, brought me close to the limit of what I thought I had signed up for. I appreciated that the more painful content was counterbalanced with moments of unexpected humour and profound warmth.
The directing choices made by Lewis were, in my mind, a key strength of this production. Lewis effectively took a script consisting mainly of monologues and not much action at all, and managed to create a constant flow of actions and movement that were both natural, interesting and aesthetically gorgeous. The interactions between Sugar and the actors were a clever and powerful addition, and I also noted Lewis’ knack for utilising every inch of the stage and every space.
Speaking of which, the set design (Simone Romaniuk) was another highlight of the production. With realism and attention to detail (from the tired kitchen tiles and cupboards, to the toys scattered on the floor, the thirsty potted plants, properly working appliances), the cluttered, oh-so-homey house (or apartment?) was not only highly functional as a space for the actors to move in, it was an extension of Sugar, convincingly transporting us into her messy, unglamorous, very real world.
But what truly stole my heart was the actors’ performance. Mandy McElhinney as Sugar, supported by a talented and beautifully diverse ensemble cast as letter writers (Sepi Burgiani, Stephen Geronimos and Nic Prior) breathed life into each character with such finesse and nuance that I couldn’t help but feel like I was eavesdropping on the most intimate of exchanges.
Letter after letter, story after story, the emotion was palpable, and everyone’s timing, versatility and energy impeccable. It truly felt like each character was plucked straight from the pages of Strayed’s letters. I only wished the actors had kept their Australian accents, something which would not have detracted from the story.
Mandy McElhinney in particular was a pleasure to watch. She was able to infuse Sugar with a humanity that felt so darn real it lingered long after the curtain fell. Her performance as Sugar was so captivating that I was hanging onto every word, every pause, and every perfectly timed quip.
As tears mingled with laughter in the theatre by the end of the play, it was clear to me that anyone who’s in the mood for a heartfelt, soul-stirring night at Billy Brown theatre should see ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’. It will leave you with a renewed sense that underneath it all we all share the same vulnerabilities and longing.
‘Tiny Beautiful Things’ performs until 15 July 2023 at Billy Brown Theatre. For more information visit their website
