Hunters Hill Theatre - Whats The Show

Spudtastic – The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race

26 November 2023 Rebecca Yeo

The Appleton Ladies Potato Race premiered at Hunters Hill Theatre earlier this month and has viewers take a trip to the rural town of Appleton.

The play, inspired by actual events, follows the return of city-trained doctor Penny to her rural hometown just in time for the annual potato race. The yearly potato race is the backdrop for an entertaining and thought-provoking tale.

The narrative centres around the return of city-trained doctor Penny (played by Caroline Lloyd) to her quaint rural hometown just in time for the much-anticipated potato race. However, the atmosphere takes a turn when Penny uncovers a startling disparity in the prize money – $1000 for men and $200 for women. The Appleton Ladies Potato Race shows Penny’s journey as she navigates small-town politics and challenges the status quo in her pursuit of justice.

The cast’s performances are nothing short of commendable. I felt the character of Nikki (played by Tonia Davis) captured the essence of rural life and was a standout performance. Caroline Lloyd as Penny perfectly blended city sophistication and small-town charm. The supporting cast also added some humour and authenticity to the play. As an ensemble, I think all the cast worked well together to keep us engaged.

Jennifer Willison was the director and really nailed getting to the characters’ hearts while keeping with the comedic elements. The set design echoes the charm of a small town with a beautiful backdrop and complementary sound design.

This play is a must-see for great storytelling and performance. It is successful in balancing entertainment with an exploration of societal issues. Bravo to the cast and crew for bringing this story to life on the stage. The Appleton Ladies Potato Race can be seen until December Third at Hunters Hill Theatre, so you better catch it while you can!

Remaining Sessions

Friday 1st Dec, 7:30pm
Saturday 2nd Dec, 2pm
Saturday 2nd Dec, 7:30pm
Sunday 3rd Dec, 2pm

Club Ryde, 728 Victoria Road, Ryde, 2112

This review also appears on It’s On The House, and check out more reviews at Dark Stories Theatre Reviews to see what else is on in your town.

Eavesdrop At The Vatican – Pope 2 Pope

20 August 202318 August 2023 Linda Lokhee

Hunters Hill Theatre performed the world premiere of award winning Australian playwright Melvyn Morrow’s latest play, Pope2Pope, on Friday 18 August 2023. It was a play with religious themes that treads the fine line between comedy and some difficult truths. The director Elaine Hudson and the company did so with finesse and steady balance, cleverly staying on this line.

Pope2Pope, as the name suggests, was set inside the Mother of the Church Monastery, in the Vatican Gardens. The set design was simple but effective, with a traditional large red sofa on a red luxurious carpet taking centre stage. This repetition of colour spoke to me about power play, whilst in contrast on the right of the stage there was the Vatican’s gardens, a calm green scene filled with grass, herb pots and vine walls.

This is the closest we shall ever get to being a fly on the wall overhearing the conversation between two popes – one current, one pope emeritus (a pope which has been retired) inside the Vatican. And it is a conversation the audience wanted to follow, which in time revealed the underbelly of the Vatican and the papacy and other surprising secrets.

Graham Egan, as Pope Emeritus John XXIV portrayed his character’s personality perfectly. He was visually upbeat and appeared purposefully naturally loose with his movements and speech. In opposition to this character was Pope Pius XIII, played by Christopher Brown. He presented his character well, often seated ramrod straight backed on the red sofa and cut a serious and commanding presence. Sharron Olivier played Sister Angelica and a special mention must be made to her authentic sounding Italian accent as well as some great facial expressions which conveyed her character’s innermost thoughts.

Pope2Pope also gifts the audience with a brief history lesson involving some apparitions from the past with interesting stories, their costumes adding to their authenticity. I was impressed with Anthony Hunt’s performance of a certain character from the country. In the retelling of his story, Anthony added some real heart to the play.

Throughout the performance, the flow of conversation between the characters and aptly timed body language spoke to the audience clearly. At times, I found myself nodding along and relating to the cultural symbolism portrayed and at other times I was laughing at it.

Just before you enter the theatre, there was a table with a newspaper front page, some solid hardcover books about the popes and some religious items on it. When I saw the table walking in, it served to pique my interest in the upcoming play.

When I exited the theatre doors, I paused there to read the article from The Daily Telegraph dated February 2013. The headline read, “FIRST PONTIFF TO RESIGN IN 600 YEARS. POPE QUITS”. A real piece of history to supplement this well-rounded play.

Pope2Pope is performing at the Hunter’s Hill Theatre at Club Ryde, 728 Victoria Road, Ryde between the 18th August and the 3rd September 2023.

This review also appears on It’s On The House.

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Money Money Money – When Dad Married Fury

20 June 202317 June 2023 Sara Barlow

David Williamson’s When Dad Married Fury is a cheeky comedy that explores the tensions created in the family unit when inheritance is discussed, especially when a new, young, beauty-queen wife joins the picture. Hunters Hill Theatre’s production brings both the funny – and flawed – character traits to the fore whilst tackling the darker themes of the play.

The simple set lets all the tension and drama hold its own space. Red-painted walls and a giant lit-up dollar sign make it no secret what the play’s themes will be about. Clever staging choices also made certain scenes and themes stand out. For example, the character of Judy had just lost all her savings and house and was now living somewhere “too small for a cockroach”. Her primary place on the stage was in a cramped corner on a small lounge. The furnishings were simple and homey but did a great job representing her small and crowded new home.

While the musical score was minimal, intentionally allowing the drama on stage to unfold naturally, there were delightful and well-thought-out entrances for the father, Alan. These emphasised that Alan is a “smooth operator”, and David Kirkman’s strong acting exuded coolness.

Michael Richmond and Dave Went, who played the brothers, Ian and Ben, respectively, had great stage chemistry, and it was clear they were having a lot of fun bouncing off each other. A nice touch was when the actors gave each other a brotherly punch as they walked offstage after the audience applause. This may have been an opening-night-only-comradery, but it was a treat.

Moving to the more serious themes of the play, the character of Laura reminds the audience that the drama on the stage is so far detached from the grim reality of the political world around them. Although Laura requires broodiness and dismay in her portrayal, there is also much room for fun and lightness in her character. Melissa Jones shows the darker side of Laura well, but as the production season progresses, I hope Jones can experiment, play, and explore all that Laura has to offer.

Another serious theme the play explores is the harsh reality of financial risks. Whilst the brothers are fighting over who should get how many millions, Laura’s mother, Judy, is trying to adjust to her new life after her late husband lost all his money in Alan’s get-rich-quick scheme. Jan Johnson did a superb job drawing the audience in and pulling on their heartstrings. The passion in her monologue in Act 2 was amazing. Johnson’s Judy provided a definite sense of humanity to the monetary debate of inheritance.

Hunters Hill Theatre’s production of the play was simple yet effective. Excellent stage choices, great acting, and a cast that clearly enjoy each other’s on-stage company make this play a joy to watch.

When Dad Married Fury runs for two more weekends starting from 7:30 pm Friday 23rd June through to a closing matinee session on 2 pm Sunday 2nd July.

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The Dogs Logs – Review

17 April 202322 March 2023 Hannah Laythamm

A brightly lit warm stage… Endless greenery… A quaint park bench… Lively music and bubbles…

This is the home of The Dog Logs, the latest production of Hunters Hill Theatre currently playing at Club Ryde. It’s impossible not to know who lives here – if the dog bowl, ruined newspapers, and the can of trash weren’t clues enough – and I anxiously wait to see just how we’ll be introduced to man’s best friend; the animal I cannot get enough of.

Of course, despite the pitch I was given to attend opening night – The Dog Logs is not just for the Dog Lover. Yes, this is a play where the only characters have four legs, but writer CJ Johnson’s script has so much heart. Structured as a string of monologues detailing the various life stories of a host of different breeds – from an Excitable Jack Russell to a pampered Chihuahua to a policing Kelpie – we are initially reeled in by the absurdity of it all, but our attention is quickly grabbed by something much deeper, much more human: the ways in which our furry companions reflect back on us.

Photographer - Dan Ferris — Maddie the Golden Retriever (Brooke Davidson)

It’s a daunting task and one that I think Director Maggie Scott has tackled head-on. This isn’t her first time staging this production, and it’s clear she has a nuanced understanding of the line that needs to be walked between human and canine. It’s a subtle, sophisticated approach; a scratch here, a hip swing, a limp. Bright collars and simple costume additions – take for instance, the hilarious running outfit worn by a racing Greyhound that just Can’t. Catch. That. Rabbit. Each dog is introduced by a stereotypical, rather nostalgic pop song of the early 2000s that has the audience in fits of laughter.

A bold choice – but creativity is only best when it is brave. And none are so brave then the four actors who give us these thoughts of Dog. Anthony Slaven is loveable as the larger than life and energetic breeds. Keeping the liveliness of the night high, Slaven is always warmly welcomed back on stage after the more delicate and vulnerable moments of the evening. Many of which are craftly ignited by Ross Alexander, who weaves longer tales (no pun intended) that captivate, ignite and in the case of a particular aging Labrador – pinch you right in the childhood. Kirit Chaudhary gives a highly varied performance by embracing the extremes of each of his breeds. Wittingly charming as a lazy, sleepy mongrel and terrifying as a powerful and aggressive Rottweiler; each take was dangerous and exciting.

But one can’t help but think that in many ways Brooke Davidson had the biggest challenge of them all. The only woman in the play, there is only so much that can be given when her dogs are written as spoilt and pampered quote on quote ‘b*tches’ who don’t know what’s good for them. You could see Davidson’s envision of her dogs as more – complicated and decisive – and it was clear over the night her rebellion against what could have easily been a one stroke performance. All I can say is go show ‘em and well done.

Whether you are constantly questioning what your dog may be thinking or wanting a piece of theatre that doesn’t tell you what you should think, but instead invites you to join a conversation – The Dog Logs is for you. I give a huge congratulations to everyone involved in this production. A limited season ending on April 2nd – don’t miss your chance to see this moving take on love, loss, connection, and friendship all through the eyes of nature’s best friend.

The Dogs Logs – Hunters Hill Theatre

Friday 24 March 2023 – 7:30 PM
Saturday 25 March 2023 – 2:00PM AND 7:30 PM
Sunday 26 March 2023 – 2:00 PM
Friday 31 March 2023 – 7:30 PM
Saturday 01 April – 2:00PM AND 7:30 PM
Sunday 02 April – 2:00 PM

This review also appears in On The House

Photography Courteousy of Dan Ferris

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