Reviews

The Last Great Hunt’s The Hypotheticals tells of two best friends in the latter half of their 30s, a single straight woman and a partnered gay man who are hypothetically asking whether they should have a baby… together. A highly imaginative, deeply personal, and very physical piece of theatre, this 70-minute little treasure of a show has its audience engrossed.

This play is a masterclass in how the action, delivery and intention of actors can completely change the meaning of the same words.

Constellations is a ‘two hander’ for two star-crossed lovers, beekeeper Roland (Johnny Carr) and quantum physicist Marianne (Catherine Văn-Davies). The same fragments of their lives are repeated over and over with slight twists.

The change in the ‘metaverse’ is recorded in the script by a change from bold to normal text. In this elegant production the changes are realised with light, sound and skilful acting.

Theatre on Chester is renowned for presenting Australian stories very well and its latest production, The Peach Season by Debra Oswald, is no exception.  The play was short-listed for the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards, and since its premiere at Griffin Theatre Company has enjoyed success and popularity, particularly on the community theatre circuit.

It starts with a brilliant bang, the best set-up scene I’ve seen in many a year. Two women enter the ramshackle cliff-side studio/home of Leo Bailey, famous Australian artist now gone to seed with booze and self-loathing. 

One is Margo, successful and abrupt, the only one of his several children willing to care (at a distance) for a loathed father; the other is Therese, newly released from prison, desperately needing this job as the old man’s live-in minder. She’s obviously unsuitable, but Margo is equally desperate after experiencing many failed others.