There are clues in the excellent music which has a lot of resonant bold, deep tones that create an ominous feeling long before the enormous tragedy of Innocence becomes clearer. This is a modern tragedy of massive proportions and it is magnificently told.
A huge two-story building fully revolving on stage is an extremely well-designed set designed by Chloe Lamford. As it slowly rotates, it reveals contrasting activities in what feels at times, like documentary style action. This building is where a wedding is taking place and doubles as an international high school.
A bride on her wedding day tells of her feelings of finding love with a wonderful man, his parents meanwhile discuss keeping a family secret from her. Meanwhile there are ghosts who offer snippets of their final day on Earth, which eventually starts to play out before our eyes.
A woman laments the loss of her daughter, she works in the kitchen serving the bridal party. When she meets the bride, it starts to become clearer that the connection between the two stories simultaneously playing out relate to these two women, or does it? Suddenly there is mayhem, a shooter on a killing spree at the school, young and old people flee to different spots in the building trying to escape. Innocence is a very modern tragedy. The story is suited to opera, but it could just as well work as part of the Marvel multiverse.
The final climax is horrifying for the living, and absolution for the dead, once a confession is forced from the groom. The part he has played years earlier, beside his brother on the day of the school shooting strips all innocence as the truth comes to light. A truly stunning piece of work that is as tragic as they come, unusual because it is essentially an ensemble piece giving the whole cast a chance to shine.
Innocence premiered at Adelaide Festival. The season has now ended.
