The Unburdening
Writer: Ashley Walker
Director: Luke Visentin
The Living Room, Erskineville Town Hall
22 – 26 September 2026
Writer Ashley Walker’s contribution to the Fringe Festival is an intimate examination of the point at which an adolescent needs to break away from the protection of his loving father and establish himself as an independent entity. In other words, to flourish creatively, he must unburden himself of familial ties.
Walker is a multi-talented creative performer. Despite dealing with cerebral palsy he is already a seasoned playwright, having had eight plays produced for the Short and Sweet Festival, as well as a one-act play The Chicken or the Egg, performed at the Old Fitz Theatre. He is also an established musician, performing with his band, the Relevant Elephants.
Although the play is semi-autobiographical, Walker decided to concentrate on the emotional upheaval that arises when long existing emotional family ties are renegotiated, rather than his disability, cerebral palsy. This choice indicates his refusal to be defined by his illness and univeralises his struggle for personal autonomy. However, it must be conceded that it has shaped the circumstances of his life including the greater complexity of his “Declaration of Independence”.
The audience are greeted by the soothing, atmospheric sounds of Walker’s dubstep and techno-flavoured soundscape. The stage is intriguingly littered with cardboard boxes, each bearing the name of a particular Sydney suburb, highlighting the key conflicts the characters are facing: where should he live, how far away should he distance from his dad to experience independence, and will he manage on his own?
This is an age-old rite-of-passage and while Ash (Connor Crick) and Dad (Harrison Collis Oates) banter back and forth humorously as they evaluate the pros and cons of each suburb, their discomfort at the rending of familial ties is painfully evident. Both actors perform exceptionally well, establishing a believable rapport, in their depiction of this classic domestic situation.
Each suburb has its character reviewed, with some agreeing murmurs from the attentive Sydney audience – one is too far away, another to central, others too bleak, or condemned as too yuppie. Of course, no decision is reached just yet, but the underlying tenderness and humour create a heartfelt experience.
It a short but courageous and entertaining contribution to the Festival, and thank you to producer, subtlenuance, long-time supporters of independent theatre. The audience can be congratulated for turning up on one of the coldest, wettest spring nights on offer so far!
