Of Good Stock

Community theatre is a strong force in SA, providing high quality entertainment outside the city precinct. Galleon Theatre Group is one of the shining gems of community theatre who have been entertaining patrons in the south-western suburbs of Adelaide since 1967, drawing their talent and audiences from all over the metropolitan area and beyond.

Their latest production, Of Good Stock, a SA premiere written by New York playwright Melissa Ross, is a bit of departure for this company as it deals with a number of sensitive topics. Judging by the reaction from the opening night audience, they are on a winner. The laughs are there aplenty, but there are also moments where you can ‘hear a pin drop’ as the characters delve deeply into their lives and those of their loved ones.

“Families are so weird” is the quote of the play and summarises the plight of the Stockton sisters, trying to celebrate Jess’s 41st birthday, another year of survival following breast cancer surgery.

While all three Stocktons are New Yorkers, they don't see each other all that often, a signal that their relationships are not without problems. These problems deepen when their get-togethers are at the Cape Cod house that their father left to Jess instead of all three daughters. It's the sort of idyllic retreat anyone would treasure. Naturally, it makes for a likely cause for resentment on the part of the left-out sisters, especially Amy.
The Stockton girls also grew up in the shadow of dad's fame as a best-selling, Pulitzer Prize winning novelist. No wonder each daughter is in her own way needy and messed up and that this affects their relationships with each other and with men (3 of whom we meet).

Tempers flare and apologies abound and the weekend ends with each of the girls having to face their own reality and that of the men involved in their lives.

Director Kym Clayton, well known to Galleon audiences as a director and actor, pulls no punches and delivers a stellar production that is sure to touch the heart of any audience member. His composite set (designed with Trisha Graham) is a delight, split between the kitchen and garden of the Stockton family home. The kitchen is wonderfully detailed (I loved the 1980’s curtains) and the fairy lights in the garden add to the ambience of the space.

With effective scene change music, costumes by Sam Tutty and lighting by James Allenby, Of Good Stock is a visual and aural delight.

Clayton makes use of every centimetre of the Galleon stage, particularly the Mama Mia like dock which is the setting for some of the more intimate scenes of the play, particularly the act 2 scenes between Fred and Josh (doing ‘manly’ things), and the pivotal scene between the three sisters.

His actors delve deep into their characters resulting in totally believable performances – Dora Stamos plays Jess with a tender touch, trying to hold her family and indeed her life together. Her scene with her husband Fred in act 2 is heart-rending as she outlines her plans for her passing.

Christian Dewar as Jess’s husband Fred is the glue that holds the play together with his seemingly laid-back attitude that masks genuine sorrow and loneliness. His act 2 scene with Josh on the dock is a highlight, as is his faultless American accent.

Amanda Grifsas’s Celia is the ‘baby’ of the family, with a secret that threatens to tear the sisters apart. She gives an engaging ‘hormonal’ performance that any woman who has been through pregnancy will resonate with.

Melissa Moon’s Amy is the sister we would all like to give a good talking to. As Celia says, she is like “Martha Stewart on speed”. Seemingly totally self-focussed, she hides a secret that is divulged in act 2 that explains her actions.

Josh van’t Padje’s Josh is torn between his love for Amy and the realisation that it can never work. The jumper around his neck in act 1 is a nice touch mirroring his fiancé’s outfit.

Nathan Brown’s Hunter is the outsider of the family. He injects another point of view coming from a large family. His act 2 scene with Fred is one of the highpoints of act 2. Coincidentally,  he bears a remarkable resemblance to Matthew McConaughey in looks and in accent.

Of Good Stock is a thoughtful, well-crafted production that will have you laughing and perhaps shedding the odd tear or two. Go and see it and support community theatre!

Barry Hill OAM