A reworking of a classic fairytale might sound familiar territory, but Mara – currently running at Theatre Works in St Kilda – takes a more ambitious route, shifting the focus to one of its most maligned characters: the “wicked” stepmother.
The play, written by Hannah Pyliotis is performed by Aurora Kurth – reimagining the Cinderella story through the eyes of the stepmother, Mara. It offers a darker, more introspective take on a story that most audiences think they know.
Directed by Megan Jones, this production blends theatre and cabaret elements into a 90 minute performance driven by a small but versatile cast with a solo performance from Kurth at the centre – she moves her way between characters and different emotional states and tempos with energy and expert control. This format places significant weight on her shoulders – but she carries it well, shifting the tension as Mara’s story unfolds.
The premise is compelling. Mara is portrayed as a woman shaped by circumstance rather than simple cruelty, navigating motherhood, class expectations and a sense of entrapment within her own life. The traditional villain is reframed as someone more human, even if not entirely sympathetic.
Kurth is joined on stage by Ania Reynolds throughout, who is playing keyboard. Occasionally they share a little banter like in a cabaret show, but then it’s straight back to the story again.
This set up, along with the minimal staging and lighting help to build Mara’s world and tell a story that’s intimate, but makes you feel a bit uneasy. I mean, you know how this story ends but it’s the getting there and how it unfolds that’s suspenseful when it’s told from this perspective. The tone is somewhere between confession and a grand performance.
Still, Mara stands out as a thoughtful addition to Melbourne’s independent theatre scene, rewriting the fairytale with a fresh angle.
Mara is running at Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street St Kilda, until 2 May.
