REVIEWS

“…Rebecca Clarke's Unspoken is a beautifully written and wonderfully performed monologue about family, disability and the process of attaining adulthood… The autobiographical piece has a keenly felt yet spare poetry, and Clarke's mesmerising performance makes her journey completely honest and true. It's a wonderful example of how simple and genuine craft can triumph in theatre. Every element works. Wayne Blair's spatially effective and unobtrusive direction, Stephen Hawker's lighting and Basil Hogios's sound provide an excellent platform for Clarke's stunning work. It's the best piece I've seen at the Old Fitz this year, and is one of those rare works that triumphantly affirms both art and life.” Sydney Morning Herald, April 05

“Essentially what you have here is an hour of a woman performing the emotional equivalent of open-heart surgery on herself. Without the anesthetic…” The Sun Herald, Sydney, May 05

“…one of the most remarkable stage debuts in recent memory…She lit up the stage with an astonishing luminous presence and with tender, humorous and heartbreaking poetry…” The Sunday Telegraph, Sydney, May 05

“Keep your antennae tweaked for writer and performer Rebecca Clarke, because I’m sure this is just the beginning of a long and outstanding career for this exceptionally talented artist.” Arts Review 3D Radio 93.7, Adelaide, July 06

“While it is not simply biographical, Unspoken explores some taboo territory as Clarke confides her reactions to the challenges of brothers and boyfriends, family and freedom – and her eventual return to a steadier self. Rebecca Clarke has made an exceptional debut here.” Adelaide Review, July 06

“Vitalstatistix are no strangers to success, and this can certainly be counted amongst their finest presentations.” Rip it Up, Adelaide, July 06

“Alone on stage for almost an hour, she shows us her life with words that are perceptive, full of sensual reminiscence…you leave knowing that the character has a future and so does Clarke as writer and performer.” The Advertiser, Adelaide, July 06

“Occasionally angry outbursts remind us of the reality and difficulty of coming to terms with a severe disability but Clarke’s radiant smile, exuding warmth and compassion, and her connection with the audience, prevented any thoughts of self-pity and promoted an appreciation of life. Unspoken is a very well told story that needs to be shared with the wider community.” Independent Weekly, Adelaide July 06

“Clarke whispers hard from her own heart, but it’s not cloying or manipulative. To use one of her nautical metaphors, she reports a voyage that pushes her to the margins of her family, to young adulthood, to Europe, then charts her return. She says in her notes that she is particularly fond of the poetic. Unspoken is exactly that.” The Australian, July 06

“Prepare to think about how honest you really are. Prepare to laugh. Prepare to weep. But if tears do come, it won’t be because they’ve been manipulated out of you by cheap sentimental trickery; it will be because of the sheer beauty and grace of Clarke’s personal atonement.” The Age, Melbourne, July 06

“Unspoken is the best performance I’ve seen at the Brisbane Festival so far…it gave me goosebumps. Go and see this superb show.” ABC Brisbane, July 06

“The Brisbane Festival has some notable big ticket items, but Unspoken at “the loft” theatre in Kelvin Grove, shows that good things can be found in small packages.” The Courier Mail, Brisbane, July 06

“There was not one dry eye in the place as former local Rebecca Clarke took us on a riveting journey through her life. Clarke is currently touring her one woman show called Unspoken throughout the east coast of Australia to rave reviews. And I can understand why…If you missed her performance see if you can catch her in Rockhampton or later in the year in Sydney. But be warned, this is one piece of theatre so powerful you will find it difficult to forget.” Gladstone Observer, August, 06

“I first saw Unspoken at the Old Fitzroy in April 2005 and it blew me away. In fact, Rebecca Clarke's performance of her semi-autobiographical monologue was the best piece of theatre I saw that year…Now Clarke returns to Sydney to play a less intimate venue after a lengthy tour of Australia. Her craft is beyond question, but will that rawness still be there? In short, yes. Despite presenting this show many, many times and turning the volume up on her performance to suit a less intimate theatre, Clarke remains unshakably in the moment. She accesses her emotions - from fizzy highs to dive-bombing lows - with uncommon grace and her use of breath and body is outstanding.” Sydney Morning Herald, September 06

“Unspoken has toured well, thanks to the assistance of Performing Lines, and as part of the Malthouse’s new Tower program of independent works scheduled throughout the year bringing a welcome and fresh addition to the venue … Each [Unspoken and La Douleur] demonstrates simply the ability of a powerful performer to involve an audience in a fragile human story, devoid of theatrical tricks or convention.” Real Time, National, Aug/Sept 06

“Rebecca Clarke’s acting is gripping; reliving her personal emotional journey is powerful stuff.” The Border Mail, Albury-Wodonga, March 07