REVIEW: Snail and Rocks

September 04, 2024

Snail and Rocks
Presented by Shopfront Arts Co-op
Reviewed by Alexandro Gould-Arocha

Snail and Rocks is a whimsical new comedy by Astra Milne (writer/co-director) and Miah Tito-Baratt (co-director) that explores the ideas of identity, belonging and societal structures.

Snail meets Rocks in the forest after they run away from their lives unhappy with their circumstances. They wish that they could change places, with Snails becoming human, and Rocks becoming a forest gremlin. Then they encounter a being called Ordos, who grants them this on the condition that they must climb the hierarchy.

Over the next 40 minutes, they both try to climb the societal ladder with various obstacles on the way. We are transported between forests and office buildings, and the characters try to rise to the top of the corporate (or forest) ladder. It draws to a heart-warming conclusion by the end of the play, where the characters resolve to embrace the beauty of the world as it is.

Leading the show were performers Olivia Harris (Snail) and Jaz (Rocks). Both performers were excellent and displayed authentic drive within their characters.

They were supported by a strong ensemble featuring Tommie Harper, Sydney Hure, Sasha Bolach, and Diego Retamales. Each performer had to play a range of roles which were believable and distinct. The ensemble supported the piece quite well, with impeccable synchronisation and energy. 

Another thing that the play excelled in was the use of physical theatre and movement. It played a crucial role in differentiating between settings and characters, particularly for the ensemble. The various motifs worked quite effectively due to the strong movement. I was quite surprised they didn't need a movement director. It elevated the story to another level, emphasising the play's story. Directors Astra Milne and Miah Tito-Baratt deserve commendation for their stunning work and passion for the arts in general.

The production was designed by Sammy Read (Lighting) and Jessica Pizzinga (Sound). The lighting was beautiful and guided us through locations, it also created quite dramatic effects. The sound design was seamless and encapsulated the nature of the play well.

Overall, the production was heart-warming, intriguing, and very whimsical. It was a beautiful story that resonates with our desire for belonging and self-acceptance. The production excelled at conveying this story and utilised their resources to the best of their ability.

This production was supported through Shopfront’s Member Show initiative and mentored by Eva Di Cesare. The initiative has members pitch a show to produce, which is then voted on by the Shopfront community. Shopfront’s commitment to young people and emerging artists is outstanding, and continues to support brillant new works such as this one.

Snail and Rocks runs at Shopfront Arts Co-Op until September 1st. Tickets are available through Shopfront and Playwave.

Production images by Claire Coope