A Review of The Theatre Adaptation of Jasper Jones

The theatre production that the audience viewed was Jasper Jones, presented by the State Theatre Company South Australia and Flinders University. Based on the book by Craig Silvey and adapted by Kate Mulvany, the style of the performance was a combination of both Naturalism (Stanislavski) and Epic (Brecht). This was demonstrated well as the acting was believable, with the main actors portraying 13-16-year-olds, despite being older. The main themes that the play discusses are racism & ignorance, growing up, and fear & courage. The main scenes being discussed are the discovery of Laura Wishart’s body, Charlie’s mother Mrs. Bucktin caught having an affair, and the introduction of Mad Jack Lionel. The scene of Laura Wishart’s body will focus on music, lighting, and direction. The scene of Mad Jack Lionel focuses on costume, characterization, and setting. Charlie Bucktin’s mother having an affair focuses exclusively on the acting, costume, and direction.

Exploring Themes of Racism and Growth

Racism appears as there are many assumptions about the Jones and Lu families based on their race and social background. An example of this is when Jasper is called a 'half-caste' and Jefferey is referred to as 'Kong'. Growing up demonstrates to the audience how Charlie evolves as he faces unexpected situations and learns to confront his fears. The young characters are forced to mature quickly when they deal with 'adult' issues such as death, racism, infidelity, and physical violence. Bravery is introduced at the beginning, as Charlie is scared of many things, for instance, his mother’s temper, following Jasper, insects, and bullies like Warwick. As the play progresses, Charlie’s bravery grows. Although he doesn’t completely overcome his fears, he learns to recognize and face them.

Direction and Cultural Context

The theatre production of Jasper Jones directed by Nescha Jelk is a semi-realistic coming-of-age representation of the social commentary and culture of Australian society in the 1960s. This distinct production illustrates the harsh climate of xenophobia, cultural stereotyping, and destructive racism that existed, along with the fictional, patriarchal town of Corrigan. Against the social turmoil of the Vietnam War, Mulvany explores themes of community, conformity, and discrimination, which remain true throughout and are personified by the multi-faceted characters of Jasper Jones.

Scene Analysis: Mrs. Bucktin's Affair

In the scene where Charlie discovers his mother in the act, the elements of costumes, acting, and direction create a cringe-worthy portrayal as Charlie is frozen when his mother stumbles among the forest floor fixing her dress. Mrs. Bucktin is hiding in the upstage forest, and Charlie is downstage and clear to the audience. Leading up to this scene, Mrs. Bucktin acts suspiciously as she goes out almost every night, returning leg-less and drunk. It is not clear to the audience where she goes or who she’s with, but they get a clear idea that she is not alone due to animal-like encouraging noises.

Scene Analysis: Mad Jack Lionel's Introduction

The introduction of Mad Jack Lionel is heightened by the effectiveness of costume, the positioning of the other characters on stage, acting, and setting. Mad Jack Lionel is introduced as the antagonist villain and is quick to be judged as the murderer of Laura Wishart. His costume is worn-out, tattered clothes, which show the audience that he is isolated from society in his fashion sense. Mad Jack approaches trespassers with his rifle, indicating that he is not someone to be trifled with. The kids of Corrigan attempt to steal his peaches as a sign of bravery because Mad Jack is one to be feared. The scene is set with a peach tree flown down and a makeshift rusty door frame, once again showing the audience that this character is isolated and doesn't get out much, as it looks abandoned.

Scene Analysis: Laura Wishart's Body

The scene of Laura Wishart’s body is affected by the elements of the heightening of the slow build of volume in the music, the isolation of a character by costume, and the positioning of the other characters on stage. In the first act, Charlie seems to have been sheltered from the trouble in the world around him, but his youthful innocence is shattered when Jasper Jones, an older boy born to an Aboriginal mother and white father, taps on his window in the middle of the night asking for help. Jasper takes him to a clearing in the forest where his girlfriend, Laura Wishart's lifeless body hangs from a tree. They can't go to the police, Jasper says, because everyone will blame him, the Aboriginal outcast. Charlie believes Jasper didn't kill Laura, so he helps him hide the body. The audience is sent shivers down their spine when the proscenium arch is filled with eerie music, as it is unsettling and foreshadows that something bad is about to happen. Laura’s corpse emerges creepily in a blood-stained nightgown, showing that she is now dead. Charlie and Jasper are positioned as if trying to save her, but quickly realize they cannot.

Conclusion

Jasper Jones, adapted by Jelk, is a contextually-shaped production that employs several multi-faceted characters to carry out a compelling narrative. The use of techniques such as music, lighting, direction, costume, characterization, and setting further emphasizes the underlying tone of the play and creates vivid imagery for the audience’s enjoyment. It marks a point in time when egalitarianism was not in place, and Australia was still filled with xenophobia and racism. Jelk brilliantly establishes and continues these themes throughout, consequently delivering a narrative that almost all audiences can relate to and enjoy.

References

• Silvey, C. (2009). Jasper Jones. Allen & Unwin.
• Mulvany, K. (2016). Jasper Jones: A Play. Currency Press.
• Jelk, N. (Director). (2023). Jasper Jones [Theatre production]. State Theatre Company South Australia.