adelaide

Adrift in New York

Adrift in New York

Adrift in New York Rating

★★★★★

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1

The Rep presents a masterfully executed traditional melodrama with Adrift In New York that requires the usual audience participation and is a thoroughly entertaining night at the Arts Theatre.

This style of melodrama emerged in France in the early nineteenth century and rapidly spread throughout the world becoming the favourite form of theatrical performances for the following century. A great number of plays were produced in this genre containing the staples of a love interest, moral conflicts, exaggerated acting in a fast-paced plot with music and happy conclusions. The audience is required to aah and ooh or boo and cheer and sing to the familiar songs if they want.

This story is set in the 1890’s and begins in the Weston family’s farmhouse where Aunt Sarah Weston (Jude Hines) and Martha Weston (Abigail Papps) are discussing the arrival of a letter for Nellie Weston (TJ Baker) from the villain Francis “Desperate” Desmond (Dylan Haar). Silas Weston (Russel Ford), Martha and Nellie’s father, announces that the wealthy Mr. Willoughby has been murdered and robbed. Nellie enters and it is discovered that Desmond has offered to take Nellie to New York to make her a great singer. The hero Jack Merriwell (LA Foale) arrives then Desmond and as the events unfold Desmond’s plot to steal the love of Nellie and to take over the farm which he believes has underground oil is revealed. The twists begin as the battle between good and bad engages.

 

Adrift in New York
Adrift in New York
Adrift in New York

 

The second act is set in a Bowery music hall then the conclusion in the third act is back at the farmhouse. The audience is superbly entertained at the start and end of each act with vaudeville sets by the wonderful chorus, including the hilarious balloon dance. There is also a segment where the audience can sing the classics, “Give My Regards to Broadway”, “A Bicycle Built for Two”, “Down by the Sea” and others.

Director Rose Vallen’s experience comes to the fore in this excellent production containing all the elements of a successful melodrama as the cast move seamlessly around the stage extracting the mandatory audience participation. The set design is minimal but effective. The music from the band, Sandi McMenamin and Rowan Dennis, is perfectly performed and holds the show together.

The cast is outstanding, Jude Hines expertise shines as she both masterfully handles the role of Aunt Sarah and guides the audience in eliciting the required responses to the hero and the villain. Newcomer Abigail Papps, in only her second production, has a first-rate grasp on the necessary exuberance required for a melodrama performance sparkling in the role of Martha. TJ Baker and LA Foale are similarly excellent, and Dylan Haar is terrifically dastardly as the villain. The rest of the cast and chorus are also marvellous, especially the scene stealing Penni Hamilton-Smith.

While a traditional melodrama may not be to everyone’s taste this production of Adrift in New York executes the genre expertly and is a great fun night for those who want to boo the villain and cheer the hero and sing to old favourites.

Reviewed by Rob McKinnon

Adrift in New York remaining sessions are:
15 November at 7.30 pm
16 November at 2.00 pm
19-21 November at 7.30 pm
22 November 2.00pm

Venue: Arts Theatre
53 Angas St Adelaide

Tickets: 8212 5777 or adeliaderep.com

To book tickets to Adrift in New York, please visit https://adelaiderep.com/season-2025/adrift-in-new-york.

Photographer: Richard Parkhill

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The Whale

The Whale

The Whale Rating

★★★★★

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The University of Adelaide Theatre Guild has a long history of delivering excellent theatre and this interpretation of Samuel D. Hunter’s The Whale is a worthy inclusion to this formidable tradition.

As the audience enters the intimate space of the Little Theatre they are immediately confronted with the large two-hundred-and-seventy-kilogram form of Charlie (Sam Wiseman) correcting papers on his couch amongst the disorder of his fast-food containers and wrappers. Charlie is an internet English tutor who has isolated himself in his apartment after the death of his partner Alan. Charlie continues to eat himself to death despite the ire and medical assistance of his only friend Liz (Annie Matsouliadis) who is a nurse and the sister of Alan.

As Charlie has a heart episode, he encounters Mormon Elder Thomas (Liam James) knocking at his front door and who attempts to spiritually save Charlie. Before he dies, Charlie wants to reconcile with his alienated and bitter daughter Ellie (Tianna Cooper). Later his estranged former wife, Mary (Jessica Merrick), who he left for Alan, discovers what has become of Charlie and she learns of his attempts to re-engage with Ellie.

 

The Whale
The Whale
The Whale

 

Hunter’s poignant story embraces the themes of redemption, love, connection and grief. It was transformed into a very successful film adaptation earning Brendan Fraser an Oscar. In this production veteran director Geoff Brittain returns the story, as he states, to “the intimacy of live theatre, we return Hunter’s original vision: a story that unfolds in real time, in a single room, yet manages to encompass a world of longing, regret and possibility.” Brittain achieves a beautifully touching production.

The closeness of the Little Theatre aids in bringing a visceral element to the production as the audience is brought close to the chaos of Charlie’s apartment. Production Manager, Ray Trowbridge, and Stage Manager/Set Designer, Leah Klemm, are to be congratulated for the use of the space – all that is missing is the smell to fully bring the apartment alive.
A part of the great success of this production is the physical appearance of Charlie. Bree Roberts’ foam latex prosthetics along with the makeup and costume by Gillian Cordell and Sandy Faithfull brings an outstanding element of realism helping to portray the difficulties of Charlie’s movements and struggles of his large body size, adding greatly to the development of the Charlie character.

Sam Wiseman is commended for the balance of seamlessly handling the difficulty of the physicality of the large body suit with his brilliant portrayal of Charlie. Wiseman’s performance is affecting and impressive. Additionally, the rest of the cast, Annie Matsouliadis, Liam James, Tianna Cooper and Jessica Merrick are superb in their roles.

This production of The Whale from every perspective is a moving triumph worthy of full houses for its entire run.

Reviewed by Rob McKinnon

The Whale remaining sessions are:

Wednesday 12 November at 7:30pm
Thursday 13 November at 7:30pm
Friday 14 November at 7:30pm
Saturday 15 November at 3pm
Sunday 16 November at 3pm

Venue: Little Theatre
The Cloisters, Victoria Drive, University of Adelaide

Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1324506

To book tickets to The Whale, please visit https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1324506.

Photographer: Richard Parkhill

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I Do, I Do, I Do

I Do, I Do, I Do

I Do, I Do, I Do Rating

★★★★★

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3

From the moment the curtain lifted at the Arts Theatre, the audience was in for a delightful ride. Therry Theatre’s production of I Do, I Do, I Do, directed by Sue Wylie, comes alive with great pace, sharp comic timing and infectious energy. The stage bursts open with wit, warmth and wonderfully controlled chaos, delivering a highly polished, laugh-a-minute theatrical performance that left the audience beaming from start to finish.

Based on Robin Hawdon’s delightfully tangled comedy of romance, mismatched expectations and wedding-day panic, this production leans fully into the farce while maintaining a grounded charm that makes every moment resonate. The result? A show that sparkles with energy, personality and honest heart.

At the centre of this whirlwind is seasoned performer Helen Geoffreys as Ann, the elegant mother-figure and linchpin of chaos and control. Her portrayal is beautifully layered—poised, witty, patient and exasperated—she holds the stage with effortless command. She deftly balances Ann’s dignified exterior with the growing mayhem of her family’s matrimonial misadventures, bringing genuine warmth to the humour to the character.

 

I Do, I Do, I Do
I Do, I Do, I Do
I Do, I Do, I Do

 

That said, this is far from a one-woman triumph. Paul Pacillo as Jamie, Laura Lines as Holly (stepping in two weeks before opening night – quite the achievement), Jess Corrie as the very conflicted Diana, Stephen Bills as Geoff and Tom Tassone as Tom were all uniformly strong, with each performer demonstrating a wonderfully consistent ‘posh’ high society accent, crisp delivery and fabulous comedic rhythm. The chemistry is seamless; the actors bounce off each other with precision, enhancing every misunderstanding. Nothing feels rushed, nothing drags, and each joke lands exactly where it should.

The production’s pacing is exceptional—bright, buoyant and confidently sustained. Physical comedy is used cleverly and sparingly, ensuring that character and intention always lead the humour. The comedic timing was on point making the laughed out loud moments genuine, whether through a misunderstanding, a revealing glance or the inevitable romantic entanglement. Complementing the action happening within, the living-room setting was both elegant and functional with the furnishings and space feeling warm and ‘lived-in’.

Above all, this production is simply fun capturing the spirit of Hawdon’s premise of “one bride, three grooms, and a tangled web of misunderstandings”. The experience felt celebratory and full of heart making Therry Theatre’s production of I Do I Do I Do a sparkling success—smartly directed, beautifully performed and overflowing with charm and comedic excellence. For anyone looking for a fun, laugh-out-loud, heart-warming theatre performance, this one comes highly recommended. A joyous, laugh-out-loud triumph.

To book tickets to I Do, I Do, I Do, please visit https://therry.org.au/.

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About The Production – Adrift in New York – A Melodrama!

Feature-Adrift in New York - A Melodrama!

Today, we shared a delightful conversation with Rose Vallen, the visionary director behind Adrift in New York, an endearing melodrama set to grace the Arts Theatre Adelaide. With its timeless narrative of family, resilience, and justice, this production is destined to be filled with vibrant performances, evocative tunes, and authentic 1890s charm. Join us to cheer, boo, and be utterly captivated as this classic story unfolds on stage!

About Adrift in New York – A Melodrama!

What is this Production about?

Adrift in New York is a classic late-19th-century melodrama that tells a story of lost family, moral tests, and redemption amid the perils of the big city. It includes Gay 1890’s music hall numbers and opportunities for the audience to Boo the villain, Cheer the hero and sigh for the Heroine.

What’s challenging about bringing this script to life?

The challenge for me and the actors is to balance sincerity and irony. To play the truth of the story without descending into parody. The performances must be emotionally honest, even when the situations are heightened. Keeping the lid on some of the Actors has been hilarious and challenging.

Why did you want to be involved in this production?

I love Melodrama, I have performed in several over the years and they are always so much fun for the actors as well as the audience.

What sort of person is going to love this show?

If you love big-hearted, old-fashioned storytelling — where good triumphs over evil, emotions run high, and every twist leads to a gasp or a tear, performed by vibrant and eclectic bunch of actors who incite you to join in the action, sing-along to old time music hall numbers and have a lot of fun, this show is for you.

Rose Vallen
Rose Vallen
Rose Vallen

What will the audience be thinking about in the car as they drive home after this show?

Hopefully the audience will be still humming the music and chatting about their favourite character – was it the Villain, the Hero or the Heroine?  But above all, they’ll leave with a sense of warmth — the pleasure of seeing virtue rewarded, love restored, and evil conquered by compassion.

What’s going to surprise people about this show?

It swings from tears to thrills to moral redemption in minutes — a mix that feels both over-the-top and genuinely moving. The sheer earnestness of its melodrama can be startling (and even charming) to contemporary viewers used to irony.

Who has the best costume?

Definitely all of the ladies have fabulous costumes, think authentic 1890’s gorgeous frocks.  Thank you so much Sandy Whitelaw for lending us these fabulous outfits.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Melodrama Returns to the Stage: Adrift in New York Opens at Arts Theatre Adelaide. The Rep is proud to present Adrift in New York, a classic melodrama written by Addison Aulger, directed by the acclaimed Rose Vallen.

Synopsis
This heart-wrenching tale of fate, family, and resilience promises to captivate audiences with its timeless themes and fun theatrical flair. Set against the bustling backdrop of the Gay Nineties in New York and the deep south, Adrift in New York follows the journey of a young girl cast into the unforgiving streets, navigating hardship and hope in search of her lost family.

With villains to boo, heroes to cheer, and a story that tugs at the heartstrings, this production revives the golden age of melodrama with a fresh, local twist. And a good Melodrama often includes Music Hall-style acts to enhance the audience’s enjoyment and create a more exciting theatrical experience.

In this production, there will be well known songs and the amazing, hilarious spectacle of the famous Balloon Dance featuring the incomparable Lindy Le Cornu, who has made this artform her own!
Join us for an unforgettable night of fun, laughs, drama, emotion, and theatrical tradition. Adrift in New York is a must-see, feel-good production.

Where can patrons purchase tickets to this production?

To book tickets to Adrift in New York – A Melodrama!, please visit https://adelaiderep.com/season-2025/adrift-in-new-york.

Thank you so much for sharing your insights and passion with us. Best of luck with Adrift in New York; may the cheers be thunderous, the boos be hearty, and the audience leave with hearts full of joy and melodies in their heads!

Other production interviews can be viewed in our About The Production Series.

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