Currently tucked away behind works in Northbridge, Perth’s stalwart venue, The Blue Room is still vibrant as ever and flourishing as a breeding ground for emerging talent. Performing to a sold-out crowd, Bush Chook is a new work that gives a glimpse into the dynamics and relationship of a young man and woman who meet at a roadhouse on the Nullarbor Plain one December evening.
Written and directed by Hayley Perrin, this contemporary play explores what happens when Angus, a 26-year-old male, tries to seduce Mary, a 19-year-old virgin. They chat, flirt and end up together in a motel bedroom. How does it end? What will Angus do when nobody is watching? How does Mary support him (or not) when he vulnerably shares his life’s problems?
I really enjoyed how this play explores the complexity of enculturation and why people act how they should not. How do our flaws appear? Are our men not heard enough? Do women take on too much emotional burden (especially at Christmas)? What needs to change? And how can we all take responsibility for our actions? The thing I enjoyed about this play was that it not only left a lasting memory but also left us with so many questions.
I also enjoyed seeing snippets of such modern life on stage — people scrolling on their phones, FaceTiming and using voice notes. It was also interesting to see how communication has changed — the characters often not looking each other in the eye, distracted by technology and being told to see a shrink instead of any real vulnerable connection.
Lea Šimić, in her role of Mary, was nuanced and the innocence she conveyed was palpable.
Matthew J. Young as Angus was incredibly charismatic on stage and had you guessing if he was to be trusted.
The physicality of the direction was also interesting to watch, and the use of animal play was a great comment on how base and animalistic we all can be.
While the script was overall really great, I think it could do with some development in parts to smooth things out.
Overall, I really enjoyed this production and commend the small professional team behind it. Love seeing young graduates creating their own work instead of waiting for it to come to them!
Bush Chook plays in Perth at The Blue Room Theatre from Tuesday the 3rd of February to Saturday the 7th of February 2026, and in Melbourne on Monday the 30th of March 2026 at the Gasworks Arts Park Studio Theatre.
To book tickets to Bush Chook, please visit https://fringeworld.com.au/whats-on/bush-chook-fw2026.
Photographer: Alexander Franklin
