Sydney review - Continuity: stimulates thought and... ENTERTAINS!

By Paul Kiely

Continuity

By Bess Wohl

Directed by Sahn Millington

A New Theatre Production by permission of ORiGiN Theatrical on behalf of Dramatists Play Service Inc and Broadway Licencing Globa

New Theatre

King Street, Newtown

 Season: 28 May – 20 June 2026   Bookings: https://newtheatre.org.au              

Duration: 80 minutes approx (No interval)

Does life imitate art?

Does art imitate life?

Two deep questions largely unresolved.

Perhaps Continuity by Bess Wohl asks another question: can art actually change life?

Not directly, but by subtly planting the idea that humanity can only change on big-ticket issues by getting the message across to the masses. Wohl's medium of choice is the greatest art form of the twentieth century: motion pictures.

Continuity as theatrical art is excellent. Its interesting characters, sharp and witty dialogue, emotive themes and humour kept this reviewer fully attentive throughout. With a simple set and inspired direction from Sahn Millington, the focus remained on plot, character development and ideas for the duration of the play.

The story is simple.

Filmmaker and director Maria (Michelle Robin-Anderson) is anxiously trying to complete a crucial scene in her Hollywood disaster movie. Her deadline is looming because she needs to capture the spectacular desert sunset that forms the backdrop to the scene.

However, Maria has both on-screen and off-screen problems threatening her deadline.

Her lead actress Nicole (Jessica Joseph-McDermott) cannot quite master the emotional importance of the scene, while fellow actors Jake (Andrew McLaughlin) and Lily (Sarah Nader) watch on with varying degrees of amusement and frustration.

Meanwhile, off-screen issues continue to pile up. There is a disillusioned screenwriter in David (Nick Curnow), a frustrated science advisor in Laurie (Susan Jordan), celebrity egos, rumours of cocaine use, diva hairdressing demands, sexual shenanigans and last-minute script changes.

By the sixth take, Maria is at her wits' end.

What makes the play particularly interesting is that the movie being filmed is itself about climate change. One of the central characters, eco-terrorist George, outlines his plan to detonate an undersea bomb that will supposedly create a tsunami capable of wiping out the entire west coast of the United States. At the same time, Nicole must deliver the film's key speech, one designed to inspire millions around the world to take action on climate change.

The actors need to reach new heights for the scene to work. There is seduction, a fatal gunshot wound and a climactic ice-pick attack, all wrapped around a message intended to save the planet.

The way Wohl puts this story together is fascinating. Using the film term "continuity" as the title of her play, she expands its meaning to encompass humanity's hope of continuing beyond the climate crisis. The message is effective because it is delivered with plenty of humour.

Her clever plot also highlights the trade-offs artists face when trying to communicate an important message. Tax rebates, budgets, producers and commercial pressures all influence the final product. This point is neatly summed up when screenwriter David complains that he is "being pecked to death by ducks."

The character of Laurie embodies another important theme throughout the play. As the science advisor, she wants the science portrayed in the movie to be believable and factual. However, dramatic necessity often wins out over reality.

When George claims his bomb will wipe out the entire west coast, Laurie carefully points out that this is scientifically impossible and that only minor tidal effects would occur. It is a funny moment, but it also raises a serious question. How much truth should be sacrificed in order to get an important message across?

The New Theatre production of Continuity succeeds on many levels.

The direction, acting, lighting, sound and set design are all creative and impressive.

But on another level, this production succeeds because it captures audience attention, maintains interest, stimulates thought and... ENTERTAINS!

Finally, back to my opening questions.

Does art imitate life?

Absolutely.

Can art influence life?

Bess Wohl certainly thinks so.

It does matter.

And I do care.