So Much To Tell You

John Marsden's play, So Much To Tell You, based on his novel of the same name, is a favourite in high school drama classes (especially in girls' schools) but is rarely performed outside a school setting, so it was exciting to see Garrick Theatre attempt this show, where all the principal roles are played by teenagers.

The story of a scarred teenager, sent to boarding school when she refuses to speak, is based on a true story, and is both compelling and confronting.

Almost filmic in structure, the 38 scenes posed great challenges on the tiny Garrick stage and although the staging was clever, scene changes though obviously choreographed, were sometimes clunky and comparatively long, which interrupted the flow of the drama.

There was a strong cast of young actresses, with fourteen young performers playing students at Warrington College and Marina's friends in flashbacks. These are supported by an adult cast of five.

The central role of Marina is played in a very even performance by Elizabeth Offer. Solid performances from her classmates abounded. I enjoyed the powerful performance of Katie Toner as Kate, the gentleness of Bre Edelmen and the lovely genuine performance of Abigail Morritt as Cathy. Shannon Berry, Kiah Van Vlijmen and Nahdarin Yahya created believable characters. Emily Theseira as Lisa was a standout while Darcie Azzam and Brittany Isaia delivered strong performances while clearly battling illness.

Among the hard working supporting characters I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of Mrs Lindell by Mary Murphy, and the believable conversation of the girls in the flashback scenes.

Costuming by Lynda Stubbs made good use of colour and captured the diversity of teen fashion.

The production embraces youth involvement, with Yr 12 student Clayton Reichert operating lighting and building the set and the Cyril Jackson Senior High School Certificate Two Live Theatre Production class involved in the production.

A fascinating production with a lovely vision that is well worth seeing.

Kimberley Shaw

Images: (top) Sisters - Georgia, left, and Nicola Kinnane are appearing as Fleur and Sally in So Much To Tell You with Elizabeth Offer, centre, as Marina in a time before her accident, and (lower) Kelly van Geest, top left, is the mean house mistress Mrs Graham, along with Miss Curzon (Sereena Coleman, top right) in So Much To Tell You, in contrast to Miss Lindell (Mary Murphy, bottom left) who gives support to Marina (Elizabeth Offer).