The Debate is written by Martha Lott and directed by Nick Fagan – the first of Fagan’s works at Holden Street Theatres as their latest residency director. This 60-minute play is a two-hander between author Martha Lott, and her daughter, Amelia Lott-Watson.

A mother sits waiting, filled with ambition and pride. Her daughter, Chloe, is exceptional, smart and the state’s top debater. She is on the verge of national selection, but a rivalry ignites that pushes motherly love to the edge. She understands the power of words: it’s her job!

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As daughter Chloe, Amelia has done a phenomenal job in creating a character that begins with being the typical teenager, annoyed at her parents regardless of what they do, but secretly knowing they’re doing what’s right. And then Chloe gets called into the principal’s office… without her mother, and after the crux of the play unfolds by Martha’s character (we’ll get to that in a minute), Chloe returns in a whole new light that tells an entire story in which what occurred in the principal’s office. Chloe’s final monologue, confronting her mother about her wrongdoings and the consequences that now befall both characters is indeed confronting, not only character to character – but also the daughter to mother in real life relationship, ending with tears falling down Martha’s face. Amelia’s work as Chloe is exceptional!

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The Debate controls the audience’s attention, looking at the seductive power of persuasion words can have when they are curated to control a narrative. The writing is smart, daring and confronting.