Based on The Book by Ben Rice

Co-Created, Directed and Text by Robert Alan Evans

Co-Created and Performed by Gill Robertson

In this rather barren mining town, where ore and opal are the determining factors, young Kellyanne Williamson turns to her imaginary friends, Pobby and Dingan, for emotional support: and their existence is not a matter up for debate. And though most of the townsfolk humour her, Kellyanne’s brother and father struggle with her friends. But by the end of Lighting Ridge, everyone in the room will have been impacted by the pair. 

It’s all about conviction, in a way, not necessarily of a higher deity, but of oneself and the imaginations we utilise to make things a touch easier along the way. Gill Robertson handles the bouncing and captivating script (adapted from Ben Rice’s book) with expertise in storytelling. From stretched-out canvas to ramshackle bicycle parts, Lighting Ridge is a smorgasbord for the eyes to take in as stones, sand, chalk and opals all take a place within the storytelling. Audiences, big or small, are watching something truly beautiful unfold. 

Crafting this world, Robert Alan Evans emphasises the imaginary in this solo show with four principal characters, and the townsfolk to boot. Robertson gleefully sidesteps into them all, distinct and enjoyable, while retaining a presence as Kellyanne and Ashmol. They manipulate the world constructed around them to tell the story through movement, sound, light and shadow, toying with every aspect they can to diversify Lightning Ridge and spread awe through the crowd. 

Some of which stray into realms of utter sorcery: we’re still trying to unravel the endless stream of sand conjured from a pair of knackered boots. It’s all tied together by Emma Jone’s unobtrusive score, which serves a purpose in enriching the projection and lighting which so tightly captures the heat of the overbearing sun, but just as quickly allows for the isolation Kellyanne and her older brother Ashmol can feel, the shadows of mum and dad arguing all but engorged to colossal world-endangering giants in their minds. 

Possessing a twinkle in its eye, Lightning Ridge is an accomplished storytelling piece celebrating the power of dreams and imagination, even in the face of mortality. This slender, though simple and successfully touching new show from Catherine Wheels meets the challenges of grief for young audiences with a steely nerve and heartfelt frankness.