Travelling North

The Sydney Theatre Company must be hoping that bad luck does not come in threes for its season of Travelling North. First Greta Scacchi withdrew with a back injury in the last week of rehearsals.

Then the first re-scheduled media opening was called off, because a cloud of smoke was reported downstairs in the Sydney Dance Company’s wharf studio.

So we could forgive Brian Brown for appearing like he needed a few more performances under his belt to get fully into the swing of his character of Frank.

In the play, written in 1979,  the war veteran takes his 50 something new girlfriend away from her family in Melbourne to the north coast of New South Wales.

In the hot seat was Alison Whyte, stepping into the role of Frances at short notice. We were warned she might need to read from a script in the second act.

Apart from using a script in one scene, her performance was faultless. She displayed warmth and dignity in a role inspired by the real life story of David Williamson’s mother-in-law.

In sizzling form also were the actors playing her daughters. Harriet Dyer in particular smouldered as Helen, the young mother struggling with young children, an unloving husband and absent mother.

The supporting male characters are also gems to perform. Russell Kiefel as the local doctor and Andrew Tighe as the busy body neighbour – wearing the tightest of shorts - rounded out the production nicely.

The Sydney Theatre Company sometimes is accused of over -doing its sets.In the case it went in the opposite direction have an almost blank stage save from a wooden rises.

This was a little disappointing,leaving it to the dialogue and music to give the flavour of the late 1960’s early 1970’s.

The issues raised by the play though remain as pertinent as ever.

The competing demands of empty nesters to enjoy their retirement to the fullest, and their children’s call for help to raise the next generation is even more relevant these days than when it was written.

In a week or so this production will settle into a very nice night of theatre.

One of seven David Williamson plays on in Sydney this year – it stands the test of time.

David Spicer

Images (from top) Bryan Brown and Alison Whyte, Russell Kiefel and Bryan Brown & Harriet Dyer and Alison Whyte. Photographer: © Brett Boardman.