HOODS by Angela Betzien

Each night two hoods ride a train to a wrecking yard on the outskirts of the city. Here, in this cemetery of stories, they are storytellers with the power to fast forward, pause and rewind.

Tonight, they tell the story of three kids left in a car.

Rewind. It’s Friday, KFC night and the last day of school before Christmas. Kyle, Jessie and baby brother Troy are waiting in the car for their mum. As night approaches the car park takes on a dark and sinister aspect filled with strange and familiar characters. The shopping centre closes, Mum still hasn’t returned, and the baby won’t stop crying.

HOODS is an exceptional show for teenage audiences, especially relevant to students studying English and Theatre. It vividly illustrates key elements of Poor Theatre, omniscient narration, physical theatre, and seamless character transitions, all within a dynamic and impactful production. HOODS uses the child’s point of view to bring perspective and moments of lightness in a narrative that deals with poverty, domestic violence, self-harm and social responsibility.