paige jenkins - Whats The Show

Two Weeks

30/05/2026 Paige Jenkins🥉🦉

Two Weeks Rating

★★★★★

Click if you liked this article

‘Two Weeks’ by Siobhan Doran-Chaston made its Wollongong debut at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre last night. As part of the MerrigongX Program, where artists and creatives are encouraged and supported to develop their craft for the stage, ‘Two Weeks’ is a deeply intimate and inviting experience for everyone trying to figure out how to live and grow in this world.

Set across a period of two weeks, the audience is invited into the home of a young couple as they live out the good, the bad, the mundane and everything else in between. It took me a moment to place what the countdown was for in the background, which I feel a little silly admitting in public, but I was so focused on the actors that I couldn’t tell at first whether it was counting up or down. There were so many different elements collaborating to bring this story to life. The countdown across the back, the frame over the fridge dictating when a different day was starting or ending, as well as portraying medical charts and tests, and the seemingly never-ending amount of props kept out of view until they pierced what could’ve been overwhelmingly heavy moments. The audience was in stitches over the intermittent Facebook doomscrolling projected onto the big screen, and the use of both characters phone screens and messages was so incredibly clever. It had us believing one thing and drawing conclusions all the way until the end.

If you’ve read some of my work, you’d know that I’m very big on staging and sets, as I am a firm believer that a set can make or break a performance. This set was so well done. It was messy in all the right places and homey in all the others. The duality of it being a living room, a kitchen, a doctor’s office and an airport all without moving any furniture and yet being so believably immersive is just outstanding.

I have to commend both Jess Spies and Nathan Langworthy for delivering such authentic performances. I was sitting close enough that I could see every expression and little glance, which was so odd to see in the theatre as it’s typically an over-exaggerated setting to ensure that even the people the furthest away are still able to follow along. I don’t know whether those moments were conscious decisions or just how it happened in the moment, but it made me feel like I was watching a movie that was clawing out of the screen and coming close enough to for me to touch, which is so rare in the theatre, especially when there’s only two people on the stage. It was so authentic and it really did feel like we were just watching two people trying to figure out how to live life in amongst all the outside pressures and the garbage that comes with chronic illness and capitalism.

Grief is never easy to portray as it looks and feels different to everyone, but I adored the conversations and the theories around where people go after they die. It was so sweet and light-hearted whilst still projecting the undercurrent of sadness and loss. I just love the dynamics of this show, and I truly believe this will go on to tour and be well-loved and well-received all over the country and the world if they wanted it to.

Well done guys. I am utterly unravelled by you.

‘Two Weeks’ is only at the IPAC for two more shows and is part of MerrigongX’s Pay What You Feel experiences, so make sure to reserve your seat ASAP at https://merrigong.com.au/shows/two-weeks/

To book tickets to Two Weeks, please visit https://merrigong.com.au/shows/two-weeks/.

Photographer: Tracey Leigh Images

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

My Brilliant Career

11/05/202611/05/2026 Paige Jenkins🥉🦉

My Brilliant Career Rating

★★★★★

Click if you liked this article

‘My Brilliant Career’ is now playing at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, and it is a must-see for all. It’s always a treat to have original cast members come back to a production, and the passion for this story is overwhelmingly clear from this incredible ensemble cast.

From the moment you walk into the theatre, you’re met with upbeat live music from the cast on a simple yet stunning stage set-up. I love a simple set, and this set up made the stage look like a vast expanse of country with a beautiful piano raised in the centre, surrounded by what we would quickly discover to be some of the most talented musicians I’ve ever seen. I lost count of how many instruments each cast member played throughout the two and a half hour run, and I was at awe every time a different guitar was picked up or instruments came together to not only support the vocal talent, but be ambient sounds of being out on a boat in the middle of nowhere. The obvious musical talent from the entire cast cannot be understated. Dancing while playing an instrument is difficult enough, high kicks while playing a cello that is strapped to your body is honestly insane and I am going to be thinking about that for a long time.

Sybylla Melvyn is the kind of character that you can’t help but root for, and the pure energy and authenticity brought to her by Kala Gare also made her impossible not to love. Her embodiment and growth throughout the show as Sybylla aged was perfection. From the first song, with punk rock attitude and mannerisms, I knew we were in for a treat. Having been a 15-year-old girl not too long ago, it was the perfect display of the amount of ‘hate’ a 15-year-old can muster at the world. Gare is an absolute powerhouse. Her tenacity and playfulness were so engaging, and my goodness she did not stop the entire time and there was not one hint of exhaustion or vocal deterioration. I cannot applaud her enough, that is indeed, one brilliant performer.

The simplicity of sets and costumes rounded out the explosiveness of the arcs in ‘My Brilliant Career’. It easily could have played out as just another story we’ve heard many times about a young woman in the 1800’s who had to follow a pre-determined path rather than having the opportunity to do whatever she wanted in life. However, the wholistic approach and balance of big songs and simple effects was excellent. Single spotlights and a slow violin drew everyone in and a simple joke or facial expression diffused any notions of this being a show about romance. Every step of the way felt exactly like the journey of finding yourself for yourself, and not giving in to what everyone else is telling you to do and to be.

‘My Brilliant Career’ is a must-see for musical lovers, dreamers, and anyone looking to have some fun. Get yourself a ticket to go and sit amongst your “Fellow Australians” and enjoy a night at the theatre. Head over to the Merrigong Theatre Company website and don’t miss the powerhouse that is this incredible cast and show.

To book tickets to My Brilliant Career, please visit https://merrigong.com.au/shows/my-brilliant-career/.

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

Arawarra

27/03/202627/03/2026 Paige Jenkins🥉🦉

Arawarra Rating

★★★★★

Click if you liked this article

The opening night of ‘Arawarra’ at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre saw a sold-out theatre and a standing ovation for the brilliant work and performance of Jake Māra.

‘Arawarra’ tells the story of a First Nations leader and hero of the South Coast, at the time of colonisation. This is the legacy left behind from a prominent figure who was erased from the history books, and it is a story that everyone should be told, especially if you’re from the Illawarra and South Coast.

It’s not often that one person can command a room for an hour with two props and stagnant set of a table and chairs, some boxes and a teacup, but Jake Māra did exactly that. He had the entire audience enthralled in his performance. It was captivating like nothing else. Māra’s storytelling was simple and beautiful, filled with soul and just outstanding. He embodied each character with such grace and ease that it was easy to forget that he was the only one on stage. The story itself was woven through the voice of his uncle, Arawarra himself, and his ancestors. Whether he was sat at the kitchen table, or commentating and dissecting moments from history, it felt just like a friend sitting down and talking about their life. It was warm and inviting and had the audience laughing and sympathising throughout. I have found it to be quite rare to have a gift like that, scripted or not. I simply cannot praise this performance and this story enough.

Technically it was stunning. The use of lighting and occasional images across the cyc (the white curtain at the back of the stage) at pivotal moments was just perfect. Red lighting flashes in time with swift acts of violence, the black and white image of the sacred mountain, displaying the handwritten words of Alexander Berry, all of it was simple and yet, so incredibly effective. It’s easy to be lost in amongst sound and lighting, particularly when it is just one person, but the creative team found the exact balance to do this so well.

I really enjoyed the mix of native language and English that was so seamlessly used throughout the performance. Even if you did not know the language, you could still understand what was happening within the story. The emotion and the characterisation took you through each moment the same way it does watching an opera in a foreign tongue.

This is not a show you should miss. Thankyou to Lincoln Smith and Jake Māra for bringing this story onto the stage and sharing this piece of history and culture with us. You should be incredibly proud of what you have created.

Arawarra has now sold out, but keep any eye out for any repeat performances in your area.

Photographer: Tracey Leigh Images

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

The Comedy of Errors

13/02/2026 Paige Jenkins🥉🦉

Comedy of Errors Rating

★★★★★

Click if you liked this article

Merrrigong Theatre Company’s Theatre Under the Stars presenting Sport for Jove’s ‘The Comedy of Errors’ opening night was a smash hit.

Outdoor theatre is always a good idea, and this performance showed exactly why. The staging, the technical elements, the beautiful lighting and abundance of excitement from the crowd (despite the high temperatures) created the most perfect atmosphere for an unconventional night at the theatre. Paper fans were provided by the staff to keep everyone cool and in high spirits until the sun set, which was a lovely and considerate touch. I’d recommend some sunscreen if you burn easily, as the seating area is uncovered, but the sunset is the perfect background as the plot begins to pick up and the lighting comes alive.

There was a lot to love about this show. As one of Shakespeare’s earliest and most fast-paced plays, ‘The Comedy of Errors’ is often not what first comes to mind when Shakespeare is brought up. This modern interpretation is the perfect blend of traditional and current humour and faux pas. It’s very easy to do Shakespeare badly, and incorporate too much or too little modernity, but Sport for Jove’s found that perfect balance that left the audience captivated and enjoying every minute.

The stunning voice of Naomi Belet has to be talked about. Her performance, whilst not a lead character, was an absolute standout. Her presence was abundant and whether she was in the background or centre stage, she was something to watch. She deserves all the applause, accolades and opportunities in her career.

The cast as a whole, were energetic and switched on, which makes any performance, but especially a comedy, just so much fun. Whether it was physical comedy or Shakesperean humour, or modern humour, it was just genuinely funny and not forced. It’s so easy to push the audience away with a comedy, and exasperate them with miscommunications and over-done jokes, but this was just perfect. You didn’t want to look away in case you missed anything as there were subtleties from supporting characters as well as the main action. They pushed through minor technical issues that made little impact as they could be heard from the back without their microphones on the odd occasion.

For those who describe themselves as “not Shakespeare” people, but enjoy a fun night out and a laugh, I would highly recommend this play. This is such peak Shakespeare in the way that you don’t need to understand every word to be able to follow along and enjoy the performance. It is such an accessible presentation that I urge everyone to buy a ticket and come alone. It is the least intimidating Shakespearean adaptation I’ve seen (and I have seen a lot of Shakespeare in my time) and it just opens up this little slice of history for anyone and everyone.

In all honesty, I think this may be one of, if not, the best, performance I have had the pleasure to review. I cannot recommend this enough to everyone. It would be a shame to miss this, so make sure you grab a ticket, bring a picnic, check the weather and plan accordingly, and have an amazing night out! ‘The Comedy of Errors’ runs until the 22nd of February at the University of Wollongong’s Koolobong Oval.

To book tickets to Comedy of Errors, please visit https://www.sportforjove.com.au/the-comedy-of-errors-2025.

Photographer: Grant Leslie

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

Spread the word on your favourite platform!

Connect Online