Australia Day

The script is just this side of caricature. Heidelberg Theatre has turned it into a charming exploration of small town relationships and concerns. Each of the characters were clearly developed and the balance between group scenes and the interspersed 2 or 3 handed scenes was cleanly handled. The changes between scenes were louder and longer. There was an effort to cover them with phone messages which provided some excellent laughs.

The actors were consistent and tight. There are many one line jokes in the play and the actors managed the pauses for audience reaction well. Darren Gregor stood out as Wally Stewart, the town’s “reactionary redneck”. He gave a passionate performance for the conservatives. Nick Freedman playing Robert Wilson, a local councillor delivered a strong performance exploring the challenges when friendship and ethics collide.

The clash between Brian Harrigan, a Liberal politician played by Jim Thomson, and Helen McInnes, from The Greens played by Maree Barnett, is the core of the play. These two actors intelligently kept the balance of humanity and power. Katie Hall and Ju-Han Soon made excellent contributions as the president of the CWA and the school teacher.

The setting and technical production supported the actors unobtrusively to deliver a very enjoyable Australian play.

Ruth Richter

Images: Ju-Han Soon as Chester Lee - Primary School Teacher, with Nick Freedman as Robert Wilson - Deputy Mayor, and Maree Barnett as Helen McInnes - Local Greens Councillor, & Maree Barnett as Helen McInnes and  Jim Thompson as Brian Harrigan - the Mayor of Coriole Shire.