My Family and Other Animals

Let me start by saying that this play is quite an undertaking.  Twenty-five different scenes that convey a combination of Gerry's childhood memories, the sometimes chaotic family dynamic and the various Durrell family interactions with the locals.  It certainly is a rich tapestry and the Genesian Theatre Company has tackled it head on.

The play is based on the memoir of the youngest Durrell, Gerry, who was only eleven when his widowed mother moved her four children and the family dog Roger to the Greek island of Corfu. The wonderful landscape and exotic fauna triggered within Gerry a lifelong fascination with the animal kingdom, albeit at the expense of a more formal education.

The role of Gerry is nothing short of immense, but Dominique Nesbitt takes it all in her stride.  Her enthusiasm and wide-eyed fascination for ALL of the creatures that she encounters is endearing from start to finish and she magnificently blurs the line between being an adult female and an eleven-year-old boy.

Her siblings are brought to life by Gordon Carroll (Larry), Joash Stuivenberg (Leslie) and Deanna Ruseska (Margo).  Ruseska has to navigate acne and a broken heart whilst the family moves around and she is thoroughly convincing throughout. Likewise Carroll is highly believable as the know-it-all eldest brother. Cindy De Wet makes her Australian theatre debut as the mother and head of the family. She could easily have chosen a less busy play for her entrance on to the Australian stage but she handles this role with grace and maturity. Special mention to Jordan McCabe who gives a lovely, good-natured portrayal of Roger the dog.

The remaining fourteen actors play a variety of ensemble roles and there were a few times that the audience was simply amazed that the whole cast seemed to be on stage at once.  Anyone familiar with the Genesian space knows that the wings are virtually non-existent and there is not a lot of backstage room either.  Set designer Mitchell Latham should be congratulated for his clever repurposing of the limited furniture available.

Theo Hatzistergos is in his element as Spiro, an overly energetic Greek local and Emilia Kriketos shines brightly, whether it be via singing, dancing  or just her beautiful stage presence.  Several of the other ensemble members are making their GTC debut with this production which is a great endorsement for the future of the group.

Elizabeth Munro and Mark G Nagle (Co-Directors/Production Managers) have done very well to transport the audience to 1930's Corfu, especially considering the confines of the space and the array of fledgling actors.  But all credit to the principal actor Dominique Nesbitt who carries the majority of this play on her shoulders and is therefore largely responsible for its deserved success.

My Family and Other Animals plays at the Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent St until the 22^nd of October.

Fiona Kelly

Images: Vicki Skarratt Photography