Michelle’s first major career opportunity is a disaster, literally. A typhoon has swept across the Philippines, and she’s at home base for aid organisation Savior, coordinating rescue and relief operations with the help of a satellite phone and her best friend Janna. 

Michelle is keen to make a big splash; a serious impact, and one that gets noticed. Unfortunately, she’s inundated with distractions – the ding of Tinder notifications, a hot boss with Christ-like abs and a tattoo, and the hypocrisy and corruption of the aid sector.

Griffin Theatre Company’s Savior. Photo © Brett Boardman

It’s a fun, funny and somewhat distracted play. Improv comic and playwright Happy Feraren draws from her background working for NGOs in delivering Savior, produced by Griffin at Belvoir’s downstairs theatre. 

It’s clear, too, that her on-the-fly skit work has informed this play. There are plenty of pacey exchanges with punchlines traded in ostinato, sight gags, and slapstick. But there are hints towards a more developed dramatic form as well, which are promising for future work from Feraren.

The chief challenge here is the...