Rupa Mannan

St Judes Players Presents: A Hard God

A Hard God

A Hard God Rating

★★★★★

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The St Judes Players give a very honest and touching performance of Peter Kenna’s ‘A Hard God’. Set in the 1940s, the play meanders through the lives of three brothers: Dan, Paddy, and Martin. They hail from an Irish Australian Catholic family. It follows their struggles to reconcile their Catholic faith with the challenges of life.

Harry Dewar’s direction of his stellar cast takes the audience on a journey through social challenges for the Catholic family, from domestic violence and gambling to homosexuality. With an injection of comedy and passive aggression from Aggie (Dan’s wife) played by April Stuart the inspection of these heavier topics are tackled with lightness. Lindsay Dunn’s portrayal of Dan Cassidy was authentic as the solid character which his brothers, look for stability.

The three portray a very convincing sibling dynamic. Jamie Black portrays the shadows from Martin’s past with a sensitivity and depth. Chris Dewar plays the younger desperate brother Paddy as he avoids and runs from his aggressive gambling wife Sophie.

Monica the wife of Martin is played by Rebecca Gardner. Rebecca Gardner is on point as Monica, a woman staunch in her religious ideals imposing her views upon Aggie and the remaining brothers. A solid synergy between the family members had the audience giggling as the dynamic played out on stage with a fantastic set design.

 

A Hard God
A Hard God

There is a very sensitive and tender portrayal of Joe and Jack as they face the dilemma of their feelings for one another with the confusion of puberty and the backdrop of their Catholic faith. The pair draw in the audience to feel their agony as they stumble poorly through difficult conversations about their feelings for each other and the demise of their friendship. The contrast between the parallel stories was executed well with the contrasting lighting and sound.

This is an important, thought-provoking play about religion and family. The St Judes Player, under the direction of Harry Dewar, has done a fabulous job of bringing this play to life.

With closing weekend already upon us, so do not waste time…be sure to grab your tickets to one of the last few remaining sessions whilst you still can @ https://stjudesplayers.asn.au/bookings/

Remaining Sessions

  • Thursday, 14th November @ 7:30pm
  • Friday, 15th November @ 7:30pm
  • Saturday, 16th November @ 2pm

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

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Little Theatre Presents: The 39 Steps

The 39 Steps

The 39 Steps Rating

★★★★★

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Director Mark Wickett with the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild definitely had the audience roaring with laughter. Written as a spy thriller by John Buchanan and later adapted for film by Hitchcock, this production of the 39 Steps contains all the mystery of the original story with a good measure of parody!

The fabulous cast of four included Emily Branford and Maxwell Whigham, who flawlessly played multiple roles, often in the same scenes. This rapid change of character, accent, and costume was done with great skill and tenacity! The whole production was infused with energy and laughter.

Thomas Midena’s solid portrayal of Hannay, on the run from suspicion following a murder in London, represented a steadier character, taking the audience with him on his journey to unravel the mystery and clear his name. Imogen Deller-Evans as Pamela, Annabella, and Margaret weaved in and out of Hannay’s path as potential love interests in different locations and accents with comedic effects. The pair had brilliant onstage chemistry.

 

The 39 Steps
The 39 Steps
The 39 Steps

The Little Theatre served as an intimate location, and the dual levels of the stage and balcony were utilised to perfection. Not to mention, Foley artist Angela Short drew the audience’s attention in multiple areas. The timing and attention to detail as Hannay turned on the light switch and opened the blind were impressive.

My favourite sound was the train carriage movement! The play was interactive, which drew the audience in. The design and costume were clever, with the ingenious portrayal of a plane, dogs, and countryside sheep having the audience roar with laughter.

Congratulations to all involved at The University of Adelaide Theatre Guild for brilliantly executing a fete of skill, stamina and comedic timing in this production of The 39 Steps.

The 39 Steps is only running for 1 more week. For tickets, please book @ https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1156175

Remaining Performance Dates
Wednesday 30 October at 6:30pm – *with post-show Q&A*
Thursday 31 October at 7:30pm
Friday 1 November at 7:30pm
Saturday 2 November at 7:30pm
Sunday 3 November at 4pm

Duration:- Approximately 2 hours + interval

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

Photographer: Nat Kelly

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

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St Jude’s Players Presents Silent Sky

Silent Sky

Silent Sky Rating

★★★★★

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Silent Sky is a historical dramatisation of the life of Astronomer Henrietta Leavitt written by American playwright Lauren Gunderson. It is an important story about the unique challenges surrounding the pursuit of achievement, particularly for women.

It explores the difficult decisions Leavitt faced in pursuing knowledge and fulfilling expected societal roles. Set during a time of social change in the early 1900s, the themes are still relevant today in many ways.

Henrietta Leavitt, born in 1868, discovered a relationship between the luminosity of pulsating stars known as Cepheids and distances. Her work is intrinsic to understanding the magnitude of the universe and is relied upon by Edwin Hubble, amongst others.

A sparkling cast of four women gave strong performances. Brittany Daw, as Henrietta, the protagonist of the play, was very endearing. Brittany balanced Henrietta’s strength with her humanity in the challenges she faced. Tianna Cooper, as Margaret, juxtaposed Henrietta so beautifully as a woman with a different sense of purpose.

Joanne St Clair’s performance as Williamina Fleming was excellent. Her Scottish accent was fantastic, and her delivery of Williamina’s flawless punchlines was spot on. Deborah Walsh’s performance as Annie Jump Cannon, a strong supporting female role, delivered comedy, strength, and warmth—a difficult combination executed perfectly.

Silent Sky
Silent Sky

Josh Van’t Padje, as Peter Shaw complimented these twinkling stars with his own stage luminosity, jumping well from a harsh Harvard supervisor to a coy suitor and eventually a somewhat confused and heartbroken man.

The set design, music, and lighting were particularly well executed, particularly with the abstract nature of the scene transitions and locations. I must confess I was particularly impressed by the majestically sized telescope centre stage! The costumes reflected the period well. The performance was well received by the audience.

Overall a stellar performance of Silent Sky by the St Judes players and Director Lesley Reed. St Judes Players community theatre group in Brighton has its 75th Diamond Anniversary this year. Silent Sky’s production is a twinkling diamond achievement for all involved.

I would recommend it to everyone. It is an inspiring, witty, and warm depiction of the challenges women face in following their dreams.

Don’t miss out – there are only two shows remaining, the 16th & 17th of August!

For Bookings:-

Telephone: 0436 262 628
Email: bookings@stjudesplayers.asn.au
www.stjudesplayers.asn.au

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

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