Never Have I Ever by Black Swan State Theatre Company

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 20 June 2025

Never-Have-I-Ever-Black-Swan

Ratidzo Mambo (as Adaego), Will O’Mahony (as Tobin), Never Have I Ever
Photo Credit: Daniel J Grant

As my partner and I headed to the State Theatre Centre of WA, we were looking forward to watching “Never Have I Ever” by Black Swan State Theatre Company.

Sitting at the Heath Ledger Theatre with its beautiful wooden panelling just before a show begins is always a special pleasure, and gave us time to appreciate the set put together by Set & Costume Designer Bryan Woltjen.

Four characters – Kas (Deep Sroa) and Jacq (Emily Rose Brennan), a couple living their dream running a unique restaurant backed by their investor friends, the wealthy married duo of Tobin (Will O’Mahony) and Adaego (Ratidzo Mambo).

They come together for a dinner party that starts out rather tentatively with Kas and Jacq having to break the bad news of an insolvent restaurant.

The evening spirals into sheer madness as individuals collide with their different points of view, shared history of university days, infidelity, sexual adventures and more.

The camaraderie of long time friends turns into a treacherous game of Never Have I Ever, with the emotional and monetary stakes rising to a hellish level that threatens to break apart their close knit friendships forever.

My favourite moment of the play was when Kas (Deep Sroa), who for most of the play quietly and politely tries to make peace and be amenable with his partner and friends, eventually lets rip to let everyone know what he really thinks.

Black Swan State Theatre Company does it again bringing to audiences of Perth the opportunity to watch a unique play that provokes important discussions about society. Playwrighter and comedian Deborah Frances-White (of The Guilty Feminist podcast) tackles some hard hitting and thought provoking issues in a fun and rambunctious manner.

Themes of social class, gender equality, sexuality, intersectionality and cultural appropriation are skewered in a pointed and humorous way. Civility is abandoned as the night unravels and reveals how each of the characters really think about each other and the world at large.

If you are looking for a contemporary play that is spiced up with some fem devilish humour and craziness along with some insights into challenging one’s belief systems and world views, then you will enjoy this gem from Black Swan State Theatre Company.

“Never Have I Ever” is an igniter of a play that will get punters talking, debating and questioning all manner of topics.

An intimate night of action, fun, misadventure and humour that cuts deep like a sharp carving knife into a cooked roast fresh out of the oven, its freshness and boldness will have you thirsting for more.

So grab a drink and make a night of it at the State Theatre Centre of WA.

Kudos to the talented actors for their remarkable performances.

“Never Have I Ever” by Black Swan State Theatre Company is on until 6 July.

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