Our Lady by the Beach over the Sea Review

While it did not always make for comfortable viewing, the theatre production Our Lady by the Beach over the Sea certainly knows how to capture its audience.

Billed as a psychosexual odyssey, director Joe Woodward’s play is thought-provoking, beautiful and at times humorous. It tells the story of a man revisiting a lost love from his youth, interspersed with a retelling of Lamia by John Keats.

The small size of the theatre space gives the production an intimacy matched by the suitably dreamlike score. Though, at times, musical accompaniment felt overused, with some of the best scenes occurring without its accompaniment.

All five actors are strong with particular standouts being Oliver Baudert playing the lead role of Jay, an old man attempting to reclaim his memories before age takes them, is in equal measures humorous and melancholic. While Kat Bramston’s silent and strong stage presence, in the dual role of young Em and Nim, frequently draws your attention back to her regardless of what else is happening on stage. Plus she has a singing voice that brings tears to your eyes.

Overall this is a moving play that stays with you long after it’s over. While it won’t suit everyone’s tastes, it guarantees that you will leave questioning the themes depicted and quite possibly your own life.