Sydney review- HIR: Worth seeing

By Paul Kiely

HIR

By Taylor Mac

Directed by Patrick Howard

A New Theatre Production

New Theatre

King Street, Newtown

Season: 8 July – 2 August 2025   Bookings: https://newtheatre.org.au

 Duration: 130 minutes including interval

A dysfunctional family dealing with gender identity, domestic violence, sibling contrasts and ageism are central in ‘HIR,’ now at the New Theatre.

Written by Taylor Mac, HIR uses the four members of a Californian family to highlight, not only common social issues, but bigger matters like militarism and the battle between order and chaos.

Paige (Jodine Muir) is the middle-aged matriarch of the family. For years she has suffered at the hand of her husband Arnold (Rowen Greaves). But now, having had a debilitating stroke, Arthur is a shadow of his previous overpowering self. Relegated to an armchair, Arthur is constantly humiliated by Paige, who enacts her revenge by dressing him in a nightdress, nappy and thick clown-face makeup. If he does not carry out her instructions, such as shut the door or drink his shake, she squirts him with water or seats him under a chilling air-conditioner.

To an outsider, Paige conforms to societal norms. She dresses well and likes to attend cultural places like museums. Privately, she has contempt for traditional roles. She no longer does domestic chores like housework or ironing. Her rebellion creates household clutter and she considers a lifestyle of disorder as a way of being liberated.

Into this mess comes her eldest son Isaac (Luke Visentin). He has just been dishonourably discharged from the Marines. His ordered and regulated daily life come crashing down as he enters his family home. His disbelief and despair at the pigsty state of the house invokes a vomiting fit into the kitchen sink. Bickering with his mother begins immediately as his debilitated father watches from across the room.

The fourth  character is Isaac’s younger brother Max (Lola Kate Carlton). He/she is transgender. The preferred pronouns are ‘Hir’ and ‘Ze.’ Max’s transition suits Paige’s anti-establishment bent and encourages ‘hir’ to embrace all things non-conformist.

As Isaac’s frustration with the new household situation builds, a lack of understanding between the occupants ultimately leads to animosity, aggression and trauma.

Patrick Howard as Director of HIR has presented a fine interpretation of Taylor Mac’s play. Each cast member captures the complexities of their characters. The crew have implemented their brief to a quality standard.

There is no doubt that HIR presents the issues that many families experience. The characters want to be accepted for who they are but are often unwilling to compromise or understand alternate viewpoints. And so, to be alternate is expressed chaotically and traditional is shown as orderly.

Like any good play, the content should prompt audience reaction. HIR does this but an empathetic link to each character is lacking.

Overall, HIR has an important message to relay and is well-balanced between drama and comedy. Worth seeing!