Snail and Rocks Review
ATYP’s reviewing program was created to give young people a platform to voice their opinions and experiences while developing skills in critical reflection. The views expressed are those of the writer and do not reflect the views of ATYP or its staff.
Sasha Boalchm Sydney Hure, Tommie Harper & Diego Retamales in Snail and Rocks, 2024. Photo by Claire Coope – Shopfront Arts Co-op
9.9.2024
Shopfront Arts stands as Sydney’s only cross-artform organisation led by, and dedicated to, the artistry of Young People. Shopfront Members Show is a production selected by, made by and for Shopfront Members. The selected members receive a three month residency to develop and rehearse their project, whilst being mentored by an experienced artist / industry professional, for the purpose of a week-long season of their show at Shopfront. This year’s Members Production was Snail and Rocks created by Astra Milne and Miah Tito-Barratt.
In this whimsical, heartwarming new comedy, a Snail and a human called Rocks are both running away from their problems. When they come across a magical forest entity known as the Orderator – a cosmic = force tasked with ‘keeping the order of things’ – they cast a mysterious spell to transform themselves. Snail becomes a human, and Rocks a forest gremlin. However, Snail and Rocks are commanded to ‘be good’ in their new roles, otherwise the world will collapse into chaos. Snail is left alone in Yew Nork City to climb the corporate ladder while Rocks scales the forest hierarchy. Shenanigans unfold and world threatening situations arise, as Snail and Rocks are forced to choose between each other or what they thought they wanted most.
Irrespective of age, we all have the weight of our responsibilities placed on us. Oftentimes these can be compounded by our desire to please those who tell us to “be good, be better, be perfect”. Snail and Rocks questions this by depicting the exhaustion and burnout that comes from trying to be someone you’re not.
It humorously presents the ways in which we try to be different versions of ourselves to be more acceptable to society. It takes the idea of ‘the weight of the world on your shoulders’ and extrapolates a story infused with personality, heart, and world ending stakes.
And yet, in the same breath, it explores the joy and healing that comes from connection and finding beauty in imperfection. It leaves the audience with the idea that maybe the world will change if we stop striving for perfection, and perhaps that world is a better one then the one we have currently.
The cast in this show were incredible. Olivia Harris as Snail / Human and Jaz as Rocks / Forest Gremlin lead the show with confident, fully-embodied performances in both of their roles. I wish we saw more of the Snail because Olivia’s moment was absolutely spot on! The ensemble members Tommie Harper, Sydney Hure, Sasha Boalch, and Diego Retamales, keep up with the rapid pace of the show with quick change after quick change. Each has multiple characters and each performer finds ways of playing the comedy and dramatic weight for all its worth. The bunnies were my favourite 🙂
Astra and Miah, mentored by Eva Di Cesare, have created a vibrant, youthful show that resonates with all ages. The lighting by Sammy Read and sound by Jessica Pizzinga fully fleshes out this bonkers show in the most energetic and spirited way possible. This Members Show is truly a testament to Shopfront’s dedication to the artistry of Young People. I look forward to seeing where all these lovely, talented young performers and creatives go next.
★★★★
— Ben Webb
Jaz & Olivia Harris in Snail and Rocks, 2024. Photo by Claire Coope – Shopfront Arts Co-op
Shopfront Arts Co-op’s members production this year, Snail and Rocks, presents a world vibrant with magic and personality sure to bewitch younger audiences. And while the play’s underpinning critique of society’s hierarchical demands is somewhat too plain of a spell, its heart is in the right place.
This 50-minute piece by writer/director Astra Milne and director Miah Tito-Barratt (mentored by Eva di Cesare) follows the unlikely meeting of talking snail – Snail (Olivia Harris) and the abnormally named human Rocks (Jaz). As both wish for a life better fit for them, the two are given a deal to effectively swap places and start anew. There’s only one catch: they must become the best versions of themselves by climbing the social ladder of their new worlds, or else the Earth falls out of order.
The play’s comically high stakes and magical realism create a wondrous, silly, and fun atmosphere. Sammy Read’s creative production/lighting design cements and maintains this mystical atmosphere throughout. Although the set is minimalistic, the painted mock-up set pieces and Halloween-coloured lighting scheme provide a pop-up illustration aesthetic that springs this magical world to life.
However, the highlight of this production’s design is, by far and wide, the excellent sound design by Jessica Pizzinga. She expertly crafts a range of gorgeous tracks and stings fit for widely different occasions: ominous hums marking the deals with the deity Ordos; playful piano melodies as both Snail and Rocks rejoice at the freedom of their new lives; sharply contrasted by sounds of papers rustling that emphasise Snail’s eventual boredom and tiredness at attuning to a mailroom job; and the howling winds and chirping birds that surround Rocks as they adventure further into the forest.
Inhabiting the play’s eccentric world to make it feel lived in is an array of colourful characters played by a highly talented and animate ensemble (Tommie Harper, Sydney Hure, Sasha Boalch, and Diego Retamales). Their scenes and tableaus were exceptionally well choreographed, telegraphing both the magic the world can captivate us with and the monotony that catapults us back into reality. Performance-wise, Snail’s actress takes the crown. Her take on the ‘fish-out-of-water’ character is a perfect concoction of commedia comedy, movement, and timing that hypnotises audiences with laughter.
Rocks was also well performed. Their ability to balance animalistic mannerisms with the socially outcasted rebel-like personality was particularly comedic yet surprisingly heartfelt. Sadly, the play falls slightly short with what is done with Rocks. Their story of climbing the forest’s animal social hierarchy becomes a less interesting repeat of Snail’s story rather than a parallel to it.
This leads to a concern with the production’s critique of societal demands. Although well-meaning and touching on something very human, the lack of an exploration of what each society demands from different people with different issues and positions feels like a lost opportunity.
As it stands, Snail and Rocks is only concerned with the responsibility to be good and its subsequent demand to be perfect. And while that waters down its core message into an imperfect form, its simple colours and magic still make for a good spell.
★★★1/2
— Aidan Hale