Reviews
A NUMBER
By Caryl Churchill, directed by Catherine Hill
“Catherine Hill’s direction marshalls an incredibly nuanced, emotionally detailed performance… the production sinks its hooks deeply into the skin of everything you thought you knew about family – and acting doesn’t really get much better than this….4.5(/5) stars.”
“Encompassing three clones… this is the finest performance I’ve seen Hosking give… the actor’s cells are the same but each role assumes a unique vibration.”
– Cameron Woodhead, The Age (full review on Cameron’s blog)
THE CHERRY ORCHARD
By Anton Chekhov, directed by Trent Baker
“…richly contrasting characters are persuasively represented by the large cast.”
“Sarah Ranken is sweet and sincere.”
“David Lamb’s Yasha is simultaneously smug and eager.”
“Eloise Oxer captures the imagination with her governess Charlotta.”
“Kirk Alexander’s ancient servant is like a slow-moving implosion.”
“Justin Hosking… generally inhabits rather than merely plays the part of Lopachin… Hosking’s naturalism is refreshing and he goes the furthest in bringing out the humour – particularly the social awkwardness – in Stoppard’s script.”
– Arts Hub
“There are some fine moments and solid acting.”
– The Age
“Trent Baker’s direction has a sure touch and the tone of the play sits well between the laughs and tragedy.”
“When a production makes you feel like you’re part of the proceedings and you have to hold yourself back from joining in, then something’s right.”
“Kasia Kazmareck elegantly understates the unfulfilled Varya.”
“Phil Roberts (sustaining a painful injury) is unnervingly poignant as Gaev.”
“The ancient Firs is ably presented by Kirk Alexander; his demise at the end completely believable.”
“Justin Hosking brings an Aussie male sensibility to Lopachin… the character is familiar and yet right at home in the period setting.”
“Michele Williams, as Liubov, is extraordinary as the needy self-destructive mother on the verge of a nervous breakdown.”
“They’re all good.”
“A fine version of a much-loved play and a delight well worth seeking out.”
– Australian Stage Online
BLUE SURGE
By Rebecca Gilman, directed by Paola Unger
“Eloise Oxer played the awkward role of Beth… with fitting gravity, serenity and subtlety.”
“Daniel Harvey’s use of sets, scenery and costumes was very clever…”
“Trent Baker’s performance as Curt showed a lot of sensitivity and depth.”
“Cassandra Magrath played a very complex and inscrutable character, and she did it masterfully.”
“Justin Hosking and Holly Shanahan gave delightful performances as Doug and Heather respectively.”
– Theatre People
“…acting alone… the yardstick of success… Paola Unger’s production…a resounding one.”
“A fabulous performance from Trent Baker captures a haunting portrait of a sensitive man thwarted by a deprived upbringing…”
“…(Cassandra) Magrath achieves a complex chemistry that dissolves into elusiveness.”
“(Eloise) Oxer’s character Beth is the odd character out, her privileged background hovering behind every syllable, a source of tension…”
“…Hosking and Shanahan provide a comic counterpoint with their low-rent humour.”
- The Age
“Space - personal, physical, and imaginary, form the theme of the work, and are well supported by the direction by Paola Unger…”
“Cassandra Magrath has fulfilled the adolescent promise of her Seachange days… with a confident performance that you cannot fault.”
“…Trent Baker, surpassing himself in this role…”
“Holly Shanahan had me in a fit of giggles…”
“Justin Hosking is solid and natural, even when stark naked with audience rather too close for comfort.”
– Australian Stage Online
“The acting is as powerful and fearless as the writing…”
– The Herald Sun
A KIND OF ALASKA
By Harold Pinter, directed by Trent Baker
“Michele Williams plays the role of Deborah with discipline, subtly and emotional range…creating an increasingly alive countenance …with microscopically rendered physical acting.”
“Phil Roberts is secure and convincing in his performance as the family physician.”
Christina Logan-Bell designed costumes and set with lighting designer Lucy Birkinshaw… As the lights flicker on so they flicker off… we feel a disquiet inside… as a window into to help as look with empathy at a most improbable and hellish torment of the human soul.”
– Arts Hub
“Trent Baker’s production is sensitive to the power and impotence of the words.”
“Williams traps in amber the mannerisms and coquettishness of an upper-class teenage girl lost to time. It’s a finely chiselled performance, brittle with mischievous intelligence and pathos…”
– The Age
“Phil Roberts as the doctor… is excellent; likewise Felicity Soper playing the sister who has also dedicated her life…”
“Trent Baker [the director, creates] a first class staging of a of the story of a once young woman awakened after 30 years from a sleeping sickness.”
“The central character of Deborah is superbly brought to life by Michele Williams. Holding the space magnificently, she doesn’t miss a beat.”
“This is masterful theatre…”
– Australian Stage Online
AS YOU LIKE IT
By William Shakespeare, directed by Trent Baker
“… Trent Baker’s direction was sure, swift where needed and the text was clear.”
“An exciting and interesting ensemble…”
“A stunning Rosalind in Adele Querol…”
“The production was full of energy and invention.”
– Peter Green - 3MBS
“There were some top performances…”
“Mark Wilson (played) a fabulous fool.”
“(Thank) Liza Dennis… for her oh-so-adorable Audrey…”
“(Thanks to) Joel Davey for his subtle and heartbreakingly melancholy portrayal of Jacques…”
– Arts Hub