THE CADAVER PALAVER: BENNETT COOPER SULLIVAN ADVENTURE (PLAY)

Written and performed by Christopher Samuel Carroll

Presented by Canberra Theatre Centre New Works

The Courtyard, Canberra Theatre Centre to 14 September

 

Reviewed by Len Power 12 September 2025

 

Before Indiana Jones, there was Bennett Cooper Sullivan, gentleman adventurer and rakish raconteur. Upholding the finest ideals of the British Empire, Sullivan takes us on a breathless tour of his turn of the 19^th century adventures involving a mad scientist, imprisonment in Afghanistan, a scarab brooch, a host of cadavers, a monosyllabic Scotsman and torture by analgesic. And that’s not all!

Christopher Samuel Carroll, an actor, director, and playwright from Ireland, trained at Trinity College Dublin and Ecole Jacques Lecoq, Paris. Since moving to Canberra in 2016, he has become one of its most prolific and celebrated theatre artists.

Christopher Samuel Carroll (Bennett Cooper Sullivan)

In his one-man show, Christopher Samuel Carroll presents a dashing hero’s adventures that owe a great deal to Sherlock Holmes, Richard Hannay, Phineas Fogg and other well-known characters from the literature of the period.

Written by Carroll, the clever story unfolds at breakneck speed with danger at every turn, colourful characters and hair-breadth escapes, all told with a wit that Oscar Wilde would have been proud of.

On a simple stage setting, Carroll’s performance as this gentleman adventurer is highly polished. Although presented at a bewildering speed, his clarity of diction is impressive, his comic timing is impeccable, and the physical aspects of his performance combine to produce a highly charming and attractive hero as well as the many other characters. The subtle lighting design by Ash Basham adds extra atmosphere at carefully judged moments.

Already presented in successful seasons at the Adelaide Fringe, The Butterfly Club, Melbourne, and the Edinburgh Fringe, Carroll’s play is hugely enjoyable from start to finish. Bennett Cooper Sullivan, gentleman adventurer, is vividly brought to life by Carroll in a memorable and delightful performance.

 

Photo by Novel Photographic

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.

 

 

LIZZY, DARCY & JANE (PLAY)

Written by Joanna Norland

Directed by Alexandra Pelvin

Canberra REP production

Canberra REP Theatre to 20 September

 

Reviewed by Len Power 5 September 2025

 

This year marks the 250^th birthday of Jane Austen and Canberra REP celebrates it with a production of Canadian playwright, Joanna Norland’s 2006 play, “Lizzy, Darcy & Jane”.

Mashing together elements of Austen’s novel, “Pride and Prejudice”, with aspects of her own life, interesting parallels come to light as characters and incidents from the novel step in and out of Austen’s own life experiences and imagination. A knowledge of the novel’s plot and of Austen’s life might be an advantage, but the cleverly woven action of the play is enjoyable on its own terms.

Lydia Milosavljevic (Jane Austen) and Dylan Hayley Rosenthal (Elizabeth Bennet)

Lydia Milosavljevic gives a fine central performance as Jane Austen, capturing her spirited character, humour and powers of observation. Dylan Hayley Rosenthal is a nicely strong-willed, intelligent Elizabeth Bennet and the four other cast members, Sterling Notley, Marco Simunec, Rachel Hogan and Elaine Noon, play multiple roles from Austen’s life and her novel, bringing their colourful characters to life very well.

Sterling Notley, Lydia Milosavljevic, Elaine Noon, Dylan Hayley Rosenthal and Rachel Hogan

The costumes by Eliza Gulley are nicely in period and the substantial period set, designed by Kayla Ciceran, with a clever lighting plot by Nathan Scibberas, assists the movement between Austen’s real life and imagination and the characters of her novel. Director, Alexandra Pelvin, has ensured that the spirit of Jane Austen and her world shines brightly in this production.

Centuries after it was written, Austen’s novel, “Pride and Prejudice”, remains one of the most beloved novels of all time, inspiring an extraordinary number of interpretations, plays and films. “Lizzy, Darcy and Jane” is a refreshing and entertaining way of looking at the novel as well as at the author, Jane Austen, herself.

 

Photos supplied by the production

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.

 

  

ROMEO & JULIET (PLAY)

Written by William Shakespeare

Directed by Peter Evans

Bell Shakespeare

The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre to 7 September

 

Reviewed by Len Power 31 August 2025

 

Believed to have been written between 1591 and 1595, Shakespeare’s tragedy of ‘a pair of star cross’d lovers’ and their feuding families is one of his most popular plays.

The new production by director, Peter Evans, combines contemporary and traditional elements to bring clarity to both text and performance. The shining, dark set and basic black costumes, both designed by Anna Tregloan, make it clear that we are watching the play from a contemporary point of view.

The addition of colourful and traditional items of costume, as the play progresses, draw us back into the time and place of the story. The forest of overhead lighting, designed by Benjamin Cisterne, keeps the contemporary feel of the play while providing the atmosphere necessary for the various scenes. It is an attractive and successful overall design.

The contemporary aspects extend to the choice of actors, too. Age and gender have not driven the casting. Surrounding the young lovers are actors of similar age playing Juliet’s parents, the Friar, Mercutio, the Prince and others, stressing that we are watching a contemporary version of the play. While the story of the play never fails to involve, the style of production allows us to keep a slight distance, providing an opportunity to observe the play with great clarity.

There are some fine performances in this production. Madeline Li is a feisty, intelligent Juliet and Ryan Hodson appeals as an impetuous and personable Romeo knocked off balance by his sudden deep love for Juliet, leaving his youth behind. Both gave finely balanced and emotionally believable performances during their balcony scene. The final scene as they meet their deaths was superbly played and very moving.

Every performer in the ensemble was impressive with outstanding performances by Merridy Eastman as the Nurse, Khisraw Jones-Shukoor as the Friar and Brittany Santariga in the dual roles of the Prince and Mercutio.

Regardless of how many times you have seen it, Shakespeare’s play never fails to move an audience. This production is particularly successful because of its clarity and fine performances.

 

Photo by Pierre Toussaint

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs.