Live Performance Review - I hope this means something

Photographer: Jacinta Oaten.

Patrick Livesey’s one-person show, I hope this means something, presented at Chapel Off Chapel, is a poignant and moving examination of the toll of the climate crisis on the human psyche. Livesey not only wrote the piece but also stars as Corinthian, a character deeply entrenched in the struggle against climate change, frantically attempting to make a difference in a world that appears indifferent to their efforts.

The play unfolds as a visceral meditation on loneliness, vulnerability, and the weight of a dying planet. Corinthian grapples with their feelings of helplessness while being haunted by the story of an activist who self-immolated in protest, which becomes a prominent motif in their narrative. Livesey brilliantly conveys this turmoil through a performance that is both devastating and, paradoxically, hopeful. 

Livesey brings numerous personalities to life, each of whom reflects a different facet of Corinthian's inner problems, with remarkable physicality and deft scene transitions. Livesey fluidly handles all of this, creating an accurate depiction of Corinthian's solitude, from the complicated relationship with their mother, to their manager Grace, and their crush Evan. The deft direction of Benjamin Nichol only accentuates this complex portrayal. With its outside furniture and potted plants, the set design beautifully symbolises the impending threat posed by climate change.

Livesey's writing strikes a strong chord by combining humour with the darker aspects of Corinthian’s psyche. They navigate the complexities of caring deeply about a global issue while feeling powerless as an individual working at a careless climate change organisation. The narrative is made more urgent by the backdrop of the climate crisis, thereby making the audience question their own sense of agency.

Seductive lighting and intense sound design, which highlight Corinthian's mental breakdown, enhance the performance visually. To further heighten the emotional impact, Livesey adds video elements that mirror the disorientation of their character.

I hope this means something brilliantly captures the perils of isolation and the turbulence that can accompany bereavement, concurrently conveying the impact of the pressing need for action amidst despair. Corinthian contends with the notion that true hope can only materialise by action. The message is clear and compelling: if we don't address the climate crisis head-on, we run the risk of being overrun by it.

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I hope this means something is running as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival, from the 2nd to the 13th of October. For tickets and more info, click here.