Ray Lawler’s play Summer of the Seventeenth Doll is a cornerstone of Australian theatre. Directed by Tom Richards, the Arts Theatre Cronulla cast put their hearts and backs into this iconic story. The passion displayed onstage and the clear camaraderie of the local audience helped transport the room back to 1953, to a time of labour and love.
As you enter the charming theatre, you first see the gorgeous set. The olive walls and the sixteen beautiful Kewpie dolls scattered around the stage gave the audience a time capsule-like snapshot of the nostalgic and cosy 1950s Melbourne living room. The meticulous attention to detail simultaneously hinted at and highlighted both the charm and decay of the characters’ lives. The set became more than just a backdrop; it was a living, breathing part of the story—the eighth character, if you will.
Among the performances, Pearl, played by Rachel Lauren Baker, was the stand-out. Despite playing the group’s outsider, Baker’s portrayal of the outwardly strait-laced, respectable widow was captivating and made it difficult to look elsewhere when she took to the stage. Her performance unified the cast, drawing out stronger moments from the others and holding tight to the emotional core of Lawler’s work ensured that the play’s over-arching themes resonated with the audience. Pearl’s realist view of the layoff balances the over-excitement of Ally O’Brien’s Olive. The pair were cataclysmic and jarring: a blunt realist who tends to lean more on the pessimistic side and an idealist stuck in the past. The dynamic felt authentic, and the pair played off each other with admirable ease.
Peter David Allison was everything Barney was meant to be: a sloppy but loveable oaf with a wicked sense of humour. His energy was unmatched, forcing laughter from even the most stoic of audience members. Barney’s commanding presence was softened by his unassuming charm, particularly when it came to Bubba or Emma, played by Eliza Spowart and Narelle Jaeger, respectively.
The integrity of the story and the authenticity of the era shone through the costumes and the music that added texture and invaluable personality to the performance. A huge shout-out to Lesley Tinker who oversaw props and wardrobe, they were stunning.
Despite moments where the dialogue felt a little rushed, making it hard to follow on occasion, it was no different to listening to a friend who gets a little over-excited and passionate about a unique interest, which added an endearing quality to the slight confusion.
Overall, this is not a play to miss. Whether you know the story or not, the Arts Theatre in Cronulla is the place to be for the next few weeks. Head to their website to book your tickets before it’s too late! The show closes on the 22nd of March. Performances are Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays 9 and 16 March at 2pm.
To book tickets to Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, please visit https://www.artstheatrecronulla.com.au/summeroftheseventeenthdoll
Photographer: Peter Gale – Graham West
