Katydid, BATS Theatre, 24 August 2010

Sorry, entomologists – you may be disappointed to discover that “Katydid”,  the latest work from local playwright Lucy O’Brien, has little to do with the titular insect.

Instead, the play tells the story of Kate, a 19 year old with cerebral palsy. Due to an overprotective father, and a distant, resentful mother, Kate has rarely, if ever, been exposed to the outside world – essentially kept in a permanent state of childhood. Thus the stage is set for a family tragedy.

And it is a tragedy. While there are moments of levity, Katydid is fairly relentlessly grim, even misanthropic. It’s not surprising that some in the audience are brought to tears by it, as in many ways the play seems almost deliberately structured to being about such a result.

The centerpiece of the production is Sophie Hambleton’s performance as Kate – thoroughly believable, finely realised and almost worth the price of admission on its own.

Probably the best testament to Katydid’s success? Its audiences. If the run hasn’t yet sold out, it soon will (they’ve had to add an extra matinee show). If you can’t get along this time around, then look out for the inevitable return season.