Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (reviewed Wednesday 10 September 2025).
Written by Anna Rushmer and produced by wren wants top hat, Firehawk is simply exquisite. Inspired by heroine fairytales, it takes on both a mythical and contemporary form to investigate sibling estrangement, trauma, rage and desire for autonomy and independence.
Madison Chippendale‘s performance as Verity, our narrator, has us hooked as she tells us about the working in a motel, creating a vivid backstory. Verity is fed up with co-worker Wendy who undermines her. Verity’s tone suggests paranoia and fear that Wendy is out to get her. We never ‘see’ Wendy, but we glean Verity’s obsessive hatred of her.
Ella Roper is sublime, giving dance expression to the ghostlike figure permeating Verity’s conscience. Aptly named ‘Faith’, the character represents Verity’s estranged sister, perhaps the golden child even, while Verity is labelled as being ‘a bit too much for everyone’.
Writer and director Anna Rushmer appears as Constance, antagonistically challenging and refuting everything Verity has to say.
Nathaniel Kong plays keyboard, with flute music also providing an eerie backdrop on arrival and throughout the performance.
In terms of the performances, there is room to harvest more life experience and explore heightened dramatic choices. Also, it’s a pet peeve when noisy latecomers spoil the introduction, distracting from key details that is needed to understand the plot.
Nevertheless, the tension is beautifully crafted, performances are intentional and the script glows with passion. A wonderfully sweet, mysterious play that will touch a nerve that is uncomfortable, vulnerable and raw.
Firehawk is playing at Emerging Artist Share House – Erskineville Town Hall as part of Sydney Fringe til 13 September. For tickets and showtimes, go to https://sydneyfringe.com/events/firehawk/
CREDITS:
- Verity – Madison Chippendale
- Cast / Choreography – Ella Roper
- Cast / Writer / Director – Anna Rushmer
- Director – Spark Sanders Robinson
- Repetiteur – Nathaniel Kong
- Photography – Jamie Simmons
We found this play interesting and well excuted . Special background effects could have more impact if screen could be improved. Cast members all talented and story intriguing. Well done.
Thank you Ruth, we couldn’t see the screen from where we were sitting so the projections were entirely lost from our point of view. That said, we agree that the play has an interesting structure and great performances.