Reviewed by Kate O'Sullivan
Bringing the story of the Moirai—the Fates of Greek mythology—to early '90s Chicago, Fate: A New Musical offers an ambitious and creative take on timeless themes of destiny, free will, and societal change. With Clotho (Ciara Malone), Lachesis (Ella Monaghan), and Atropos (Jessica Huysing) at its centre, the production attempts to weave multiple narrative threads into a compact hour-long performance.
The cast is undoubtedly talented, showcasing strong vocal performances and a clear grasp of the archetypal roles they embody. Malone, Monaghan, and Huysing bring distinct personalities to the three sisters, ensuring their mythic origins remain a focal point even as they interact with their new mortal surroundings. Lukas Perez as Em and Blair Price-Morgan as Theo provide good nods to the mortal world and contrast with the sisters well. All of these core characters carry their respective arcs with confidence.
However, the show's narrative suffers under the weight of its ambition. Attempting to juggle multiple storylines—including a protest movement, two relationship-driven subplots, and the overarching sisters' journey—leaves each of them feeling somewhat underdeveloped. The pacing struggles to allow audiences to be able to emotionally invest in any single thread, and the lack of an established "normal" before Lachesis’ descent to Earth makes it difficult to appreciate the impact of her choices. A longer run-time or a more focused thematic approach could have given the storylines the depth they deserve.
Additionally, while the early '90s setting provides a nostalgic backdrop, it feels somewhat arbitrary. A more contemporary placement—such as within the Black Lives Matter or Occupy movements—could have strengthened the show's relevance, particularly given its condensed format. The multiple causes being protested in the story further dilute the clarity of its social commentary.
From a production standpoint, the small Old Mill Theatre stage posed some logistical challenges. The choreography, while competent, felt constrained by limited space, particularly with the presence of a substantial ‘Mount Olympus’ set piece. This set piece also occasionally led to unintentional upstaging and awkward blocking that obscured key character moments. Costuming, though successfully colour-coded to distinguish the Fates and differentiate them from the mortals, lacked a clear period identity, making it difficult to fully embrace the intended setting. There were significant sound balance issues the night this reviewer attended, with the band overwhelming the vocalists at key points, and mics being turned on and off late which was very distracting.
Overall, Fate: A New Musical has the potential to be a compelling reimagining of classical mythology, but its current form feels like a work in progress. With a longer runtime or a more streamlined focus, it could deliver the emotional and narrative impact it aspires to achieve. As it stands, it is an ambitious but somewhat overcrowded piece that showcases promising performances within a constrained framework.
Reviewer Note: Kate has previously worked with members of the cast and crew of this production in community theatre around Perth. Tickets for this review were provided by the theatre company.
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