CALIGULA (PLAY)

 

Written by Albert Camus

Directed by Isaiah Prichard

Performative Theatre production

Act Hub Theatre, Kingston to 4 July

 

Reviewed by Len Power 2 July 2026

 

The human need to find meaning in a world that stays strangely silent and unhelpful is an absurd notion. Camus’ play uses the terror reign of the Roman emperor, Caligula, to show what crazy lengths a powerful man will go to when he is unable to find the answers to give reason to his life. When Caligula declares that he wants the moon, for the simple reason that he doesn’t have it yet, we’re in an uneasy place.

Director, Isaiah Prichard presented a clear vision with his production of this literate play. He is helped with a cleverly designed set by Kathleen Kershaw in which a cracked bust of Caligula loomed over the action and there were often startling but effective costume designs by Alex Ellwood.

Mischa Rippon as Caligula

The central role of Caligula is given an outstanding performance by Mischa Rippon. His commanding presence was balanced with a fine sense of the madness of the character. He displayed an especially strong sense of understanding of the man in his finely tuned vocal delivery, giving Caligula a humanity beneath the insanity.

Natasha Lyall (Caesonia) and Mischa Rippon (Caligula)

There were strong performances, too, from Natasha Lyall as Caesonia, Amy Gottschalk as Cherea, Alex Elwood as Scipio, Dan Fonn Prichard as Helicon and Paris Scharke as Mereia. Some other performances were a bit uneven but overall, the cast did a fine job bringing Camus’ characters to life.

This was a long play but, in this fine production, it was always compelling. Despite dealing with madness and absurdity, the director, Isaiah Prichard, maintained control throughout.

This production of Albert Camus’ rarely performed absurdist play, ‘Caligula’, by the youthful new Performative Theatre proved to be an exciting and memorable launching pad for the company.

 

Photos by Jack Dent

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

THE GOOD BOY GAME (PLAY)

Written by Patrick Vermillion

Directed by Caitlin Baker

Q The Locals production

The Q, Queanbeyan to 20 June

 

Reviewed by Len Power 18 June 2026

 

A New Jersey, USA teenage boy plans to conduct a mass school shooting, followed by killing his parents. His plan unravels when his parents find out and hold him captive in the attic, trying to de-radicalise him with a therapist’s points-based reward system. That bit is kind of sane, but what follows is a furious and very black comedy that shows that his parents’ definition of good behaviour is just as crazy as the act planned by him.

The four actors deal with the over-the-top script more than competently, using a heightened style of acting, rather than trying to perform this for real. Particularly impressive is Giuliana Baggoley in the marathon role of the mother, who moves deftly from mother to monster to cartoon and back again. Bruce Hardie makes his mark early as the father even though he comes to a sticky end halfway through and Elaine Noon excels as the addled therapist.  Alastair McKenzie is truly frightening with the level of hate he achieves. The director keeps it all surging along at a breath-taking pace on a substantial and well-designed set.

Alastair McKenzie and Giuliana Baggoley

It took a while for the audience to get on the right wavelength and they responded with mostly nervous laughter throughout, almost as if they thought they shouldn’t find this funny. What’s not to like about school shootings, misogyny, sex, abuse, murder, suicide, incest, pornography, physical violence, gun violence and graphic and explicit language?

If any of those things turn you on, then this is the play for you!

 

Photo by Caitlin Baker

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

  

TRAVELLING NORTH (PLAY)

 

Written by David Williamson

Directed by Cate Clelland

Canberra REP production

Canberra REP Theatre, Acton to 27 June

 

Reviewed by Len Power 13 June 2026

 

David Williamson’s Travelling North tackles questions around ageing and its impact on relationships, families and love. Although it was written in 1979, and the world has changed a lot since then, those same questions are still valid today.

When newly retired engineer, Frank, and his somewhat younger girlfriend, Frances, decide to move to and live together in the tropical north, their adult children from previous marriages express concerns. Frank has always been a bit of a bully and Frances needs to learn to take charge of her own life. They have to find new ways to deal with issues that arise between them in their new relationship and when ageing and ill-health overtake Frank, difficult decisions must be made by both of them.

The director, Cate Clelland, has achieved fine results with the actors’ characters. Pat Gallagher gives a colourful performance as Frank, a man with a bluff exterior who is quite vulnerable underneath. Gallagher creates a complex man who is immediately recognizable and his love for Frances, underneath all the bluster, is touching and nicely played.

Danielle Spiller (Frances) and Pat Gallagher (Frank)

As Frances, Danielle Spiller portrays a woman with many self-doubts and guilt feelings from the past. Her luminous performance captures all aspects of this quiet, good woman who, through her relationship with Frank, becomes a person able to be true to herself and her needs.

Margeaux Arundel Williams (Sophie), Danielle Spiller (Frances) and Matilda Millar-Carton (Helen)

Matilda Millar-Carton gives a strong performance as Helen, the forthright and bitter daughter of Frances. Margeaux Arundel Williams, as the more conciliatory and balanced of Frances’s daughters, Sophie, gives an equally fine performance.

Adrian Breen (Saul), Pat Gallagher (Frank), Danielle Spiller( Frances) and Steven Kennedy (Freddy)

Steven Kennedy deftly makes Freddy, the lonely and over-helpful next door neighbour of Frank and Frances up north, funny and a little sad. Adrian Breen is very funny as Frank’s long-suffering doctor, Saul Morgenstein, and Stephanie van Lieshout gives a fine knowing and accepting performance as Frank’s daughter, Joan. In addition, there are nice, quirky cameo performances by Kumar Kartikey Gupta as the wedding celebrant and Grace Cassidy as the gallery attendant.

The play presents a difficulty in its staging with 33 small scenes. While the set design clearly delineated scenes taking place in the north and south, it created problems with the frequent changes necessary for props and furniture. While it was done as efficiently as possible, it became annoying especially towards the end of the play, breaking involvement in the story.

 

Photos by Ross Gould

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