Two plays on domestic violence
The Keys to the Animal Room
By Peta Murray
Flowers and Chocolates
By Glenn Perry
Both at Junction Theatre, Thebarton
Community attitudes about domestic violence are still shaped by common mythologies that view the family and the home as warm and supportive.
Similarly, the view still prevails that what happens in the home is no-one else's business. A survey commissioned by the Office of the Status of Women revealed that one-third of Australians still regard domestic violence as a private matter, and one in five condone the use of physical force by a man against his wife.
In this context, Junction Theatre Company has developed a powerful and confronting production that reveals the trauma and dilemmas faced by both the domestic violence survivor and family members.
The Keys to the Animal Room opens with a scene of devastation, from where we are then carried back through seven years of Julie and Carl's marriage.
From the first niggling signs of frustration from Carl the newlywed, through to the erosion of communication where physical violence is perpetrated, we feel the rising fear in Julie as she attempts to fulfil Carl's increasing demands.
Interspersed are episodes with various members of the family. Julie cries out for someone to notice, but the ideology of not getting too involved wins out. Later the anguish of the family members presents another side of the trauma.
Flowers and Chocolates, moves on to court. Tony, who experiences domestic violence as a policeman, is shocked by how easily it can be hidden behind the facade of normality in his own family.
For anyone who doesn't fully comprehend the complexities of domestic violence, the plays capture the reality of being trapped, helpless and uncertain in a society that still pretends it doesn't happen.
The plays are seen over two consecutive nights until November 27: Tues/Thurs 8 p.m. The Keys To The Animal Room; Wed/Fri 8 p.m. Flowers and Chocolates; Sat 4 p.m./7.45 p.m. both. Tickets from Junction, 231 7760, or Bass outlets.