Review: EUREKA DAY at the Seymour Centre

Review by Scott Whitmont

An award-winning Broadway hit by Jonathan Spector, Eureka Day is the Seymour Centre and Outhouse Theatre Company’s latest satirical triumph. Set at the beginning of Eureka Day Elementary’s 2018 school year in Berkelely, California, the Executive Committee is meeting in the school library to (hopefully) agree on policies and make decisions that reflect the school’s strongly held values of progressive liberalism and inclusion for all. Wokeness reigns supreme!

One is immediately struck by the intricacies and impressive detail in Set Designer Kate Beere’s school library, where a prominent “This is Our Happy Place” wall sign reflects the volunteer parent’s committee’s aspirations. The well-stocked story-book collection’s categorisation further evinces the school ethos, with its conspicuously well-stocked “Social Justice” section.

The first important order of business is to agree on the school website’s drop-down menu for student enrolment applications. Added to the other carefully considered ethnic and racial identifiers, should “transracial adoptee” be added? Might some be offended if it were OR may others be offended if it were not? And so, the scene is set for the tensions and ideological clashes been our five intrepid committee members, shackled by their by-laws which dictate that no policy can be changed without consensus – something that is nigh-impossible given their opposing world views!

First there is our Committee Chair, Don (Jamie Oxenbould), who vainly attempts to keep order and likes to end meetings with a reading from Rumi. Oxenbould plays him with just the right hilarious balance between accommodating authority and incompetence. Suzanne (brilliantly played by Katrina Retallick) has served for years on the committee and is the biggest proponent of consensus. She becomes increasingly emotional, however, as opinions are voiced that don’t align with her own dogmatic views.  She has a penchant for speaking for others, despite May (Deborah An) reminding her that “the way to not to put words in people’s mouths is to NOT put words in people's mouths”! Carina (Branden Christine) is the group’s newest invited member, who finds herself somewhat exasperated by the member dynamics. As a black, lesbian mother, she is living representation of the school’s ethos of inclusivity. Eli (Christian Charisiou) is a wealthy stay-at-home Dad who constantly interrupts the others and reminds them, ultimately, of the major financial contribution he makes to Eureka Elementary.

As an ensemble, the five form an engaging, cohesive whole and force us to examine how tolerant we are of others’ views and personal freedoms. No one can agree on facts and conspiracy theories abound, particularly when the school is faced with an outbreak of mumps and many students are found to be unvaccinated. Should the school close temporarily? For how long? The Committee wants to respect antivaxxer parents whilst paying heed to those who believe in the science. “All points of view are valid”, we are told. But are they? Chaos over consensus once again comes to the fore.

This is brought to a head in the play’s simply hilarious (and arguably best) scene where a live-stream meeting is held to ensure community consultation. While the committee members present their views on the mumps crisis, on-screen comments from unseen parents on the call are projected at increasing speed onto the screen above the stage. What starts with the inevitable technical streaming problems of some, soon turns into an all-out war over a multiplicity of grievances and differences between parents – with the steadily-building running gag of ‘Leslie Kaufman’ contributing the thumbs-up emoji to nigh-on every insult and comment.

Top marks to Lighting & Video Designer, Aron Murray, for this brilliant effect perfectly timed, as well as the numerous evocative images projected above stage in each scene. 

Beyond his clear talent at corralling the cast to so vividly bring their disparate characters to life, Director Craig Baldwin must also be congratulated for his Sound Composition & Design. The music more than adds atmosphere. The play begins with simple, almost childish tunes. As the issues being discussed - as well as their nuances - become more complex, however, the music seems to match the story’s maturation by morphing into something far more multi-layered and sophisticated.

Eureka Day cleverly examines the personal issues of flawed individuals whilst simultaneously offering engaging commentary on parental rights, conspiracy theories, the madness of political correctness, and several medical and educational issues of conflict. 

A thoroughly satisfying theatre experience.

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