“Philly GRIT” is a series of what they call “unfiltered performances by Philadelphia based artists.” Theatre exile began the series last year and this Spring, they are presenting two plays. I saw the 70-minute play, “KOAL.” It was a theater experience like none I’ve had in years.
On the stage at the start of the play is a rather abstract, tent-like structure, made of brown paper and fabric supported by two ladders. A woman emerges from it, and we are not sure who or what she is. In short order, she dons a ranger’s cap and becomes another character in this quirky play. In time, actress Jacinta Yolland will also portray a coal miner and a Koala. We also see the structure on stage which will come represent a eucalyptus tree, the inside of the coal mine, and a boulder… And then we see smoke.
In 2019, wildfires raged across large portions of Australia. That is where “KOAL” takes place. How will the people and the animals stay safe? The ranger vows to protect the animals, including his favorite, the koala, who is scampering about, afraid. Everyone is afraid. One is an indigenous young woman who doesn’t know where to go either. As for the coal miner, he is trapped inside a mine that is collapsing.
It is December, summer in the southern hemisphere, and it is a hot summer. When fires do break out, they spread rapidly because the leaves and bark of eucalyptus trees are extremely flammable- these trees, poisonous to people, are the basic food of the koala.
All this is presented by the amazing actor, Jacinta Yelland. She is mesmerizing as we watch her trapped in the cave and scooting around as koala. I was disappointed when the stage went dark, because I couldn’t see her when she was moving about. And I also couldn’t see the revealing looks on her most expressive face. On top of all that is happening, she still brings the comic moments to the stage as she interacts with the audience. We even get a brief talk about the development of the earth’s surface, which may now be destroyed by the lack of climate control.
It was a bit challenging to follow the different threads of the story and I wish the indigenous girls’ story was more accessible. Nevertheless, I understood her terror.
This one-woman show was written by Yelland, who was born in Australia and came to the United States and Philadelphia to study theater. Here, she met Trey Lyford, with whom she further developed the play and who directed it. What a talented pair! I have friends who would love this show and others that wouldn’t. But that is theater. I really enjoyed seeing it with my son for a younger perspective.
Note: This show is alternating with another play and is only there for a week and a half. There are three more performances of “KOAL.” Check their website for the dates.
“KOAL” by Jacinta Yelland at Theatre Exile, 1340 S. 13th St., Philadelphia, PA 19147, 215-218-4022, boxoffice@theatreexile.org Thru March 8, 2025
Philadelphia Theater Reviews by Frank Burd 