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I walked out of The Blue Room Theatre at Perth’s State Theatre Centre completely stunned by the performance I had just witnessed.
sitting, screaming stars Helena Cielak in her solo debut at Perth Fringe Festival, that opened to a sold-out crowd. What she delivers on that small stage is nothing short of extraordinary.
The venue is intimate, but Cielak commands the space so completely that the stage feels bigger than the room itself. She moves with purpose, shifting seamlessly between characters, emotions and moments with total control and presence. Her physicality and vocal work are mesmerizing throughout.
The story follows Sam, a high school student in her final year, trying to survive the everyday chaos of teenage life while carrying far more than any young person should. Her father has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, her mum is working extra shifts to keep the family afloat, and her older brother is absent. The weight of it all is crushing, and Sam’s sense of isolation is evident. Mr David’s office becomes a rare place of comfort, where she finally feels seen and heard.
Cielak delivers an incredible emotional range — angry, scared, defensive, vulnerable — giving each character she plays a distinct energy and voice. It’s raw, confronting and deeply human. The performance explores adolescence, family strain and the abuse of power with sensitivity and care, never losing sight of Sam’s strength and resilience.
Madeline Nunn’s writing is fiercely moving, but it’s Cielak’s performance that truly lingers. Powerful, brave and captivating — and only on for a few more shows. An unforgettable piece of powerful theatre that absolutely earned its standing ovation.