Anne of Green Gables

Stirling Players youth musical is a lovely adaptation of the original novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Well-directed and crafted, this is a sweet treat with appeal to audiences of all ages.

Jennifer Wright leads the cast with a multi-layered, beautifully emoted performance in the title role, showing a lovely journey as Anne matures from a vulnerable but outspoken young girl to confident young woman, a performance that will draw tears (for all the right reasons) from many audience members.  She is well supported throughout, with Ella Scott bringing maturity and depth to the challenging role of Marilla, and Shay Dowley excellent and clearly Anne’s kindred spirit as Matthew. Zavier Wileman brings loads of charm to adversary and later love-interest Gilbert Blythe.

Michaela Logan is sweet as bosom friend Diana Barry, with Susanna von Perger adorable as little sister Minnie May. A large cast make the most of some great character roles, with highlights including Anneka McLennan’s lovely Shop Girl (she alternates this role and the role of Ruby Gillis with equally talented twin sister Bronte), Sofia Rippingale as beautifully voiced Mrs Spencer and Logan Bin Bakar’s nicely accented Station Master. Ariana O’Neill is very different in her characterisations of Mrs Blewitt and Mrs Barry, Madison Reith and Sarah McDonald relish the nastiness of Mrs Linde and Josie Pye.

A convincing crowd of school children including Lyra Telfer (Jane Andrews), Boh Dobson (Tommy Sloane), Oleks Isaiev (Billy Turner) and Luke Chappell (Charlie Sloane), are presided over by school master Galen Telfer, with many actors successfully playing multiple roles 

Working to a quality backing track, singing, under the guidance of Musical Director Krispin Maeselu, is of good quality and performed with polish. Sound is well managed by Mishka Miller.

A multi-level set designed by Fran Gordon and David Wall is well-constructed and brings a sense of domestic comfort. Costumes, also by Fran Gordon, look great and give a wonderful sense of the era. John Woolrych’s sympathetic lighting design allows for multiple locales and moods on the fixed set.

A must-see for fans of the classic novel, this feel-good tale will delight those new to the story as well. A production that is an endearing emotional journey which leaves its audience smiling.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Kevin Forward