Destiny is a powerful drama set during the beginning of the revolution in South Africa. Written by and starring Kirsty Marillier and directed by Zindzi Okenyo, the play explores family, love and the fight for justice under apartheid.

As Della, Marillier is fierce and compelling. Since her mother’s passing she has become the matriarch of the house. She’s seen the dangers of questioning the white nationalist government first-hand, and apartheid is something she whispers. When her ex-boyfriend Ezra (Barry Conrad) returns, she’s wary of his radical thinking and protective of his influence on her younger brother, Rocky (Gaz Dutlow).

Conrad is the charismatic Ezra. With his rolling r’s and swagger, he oozes sex appeal. This a confident man knows his worth. The chemistry between him and Della is dynamic, fiery, and impossible to deny. Yet, the fight for justice remains Ezra’s priority above everything else—even love.

Rocky embodies youthful innocence and naivety, eager to join a cause he finds thrilling but doesn’t fully understand. Here we see Ezra’s cunning, arrogant side—teasing him, almost suggestively, and taking advantage of the boy’s crush. When Della pleads with Ezra not to drag her brother down, he replies, “I’m dragging him up,” reflecting his uncompromising belief in the cause.

Their father Cliff (Patrick Williams) reaches for the solace of the bottle but sings with heart, soul, and lived experience. As head of security on a tea plantation, his privilege affords the family a large home, but his position does not save him from the ridicule and power play of the white men who belittle him, forcing him to call them ‘sir’ and endure police raids.

Destiny has a strong, intimate cast and they work well together, particularly Marillier and Conrad, who make a passionate pair, and shift easily between rage to tenderness.

With no intermission or scene changes, Sophie Woodward’s two-story set gives the characters room to dance and run. The tripartite  structure creates height and depth, adding realism. Downstairs the family’s spacious home, upstairs the general store where Della works. High above, the sky shifts from bright blue to menacing clouds, echoing the play’s mood. The yellow-walled home is bright and cheerful, in sharp contrast to the stark, dangerous world outside.

Set in 1976, the props anchor the story in an analogue era of old telephones, radios and records. While Kelly Ryall’s score builds subtlety, the beats intensifying as tensions rise.

Though fictional, the circumstances are drawn from harsh realities. A story of love—romantic and familial. Destiny highlights the difficult choices people must make between survival and values.

4.5 stars

Destiny is playing now at Melbourne Theatre Company until 13 September 2025. For tickets visit: Melbourne Theatre Company