THE GLASS MENAGERIE (PLAY)

 

Written by Tennessee Williams

Directed by Geoffrey Borny

Canberra REP production

Canberra REP Theatre, Acton to 8 August.

 

Reviewed by Len Power 24 July 2026

Originally produced in 1944, this first play by Tennessee Williams has many autobiographical elements. Pressured to remove non-realistic staging devices from that first production, Williams clearly preferred his original version, eventually publishing it in his Collected Works. This new Canberra REP production provides the opportunity to see Williams’ original vision of the play.

During the Depression in the 1930s, Amanda Wingfield lives in a romanticized past. Her son, Tom, yearns for adventure while her shy, slightly handicapped daughter retreats into a comforting world of glass animals. Conflict arises with Amanda’s unrealistic and overbearing dreams for her children. The story is presented as emotionally charged memories by Tom, who warns the audience at the outset that it is “not realistic”.

A strong cast of four bring Williams’ characters triumphantly to life. As Amanda, Victoria Tyrell Dixon gives a touching portrait of this fading Southern belle. Yearning for an era that will never return, she achieves the unique style of this woman through a believable delivery of her dialogue and portrayal of her physical attitudes. Her Jonquils soliloquy is particularly memorable.

John Whinfield (Jim), Victoria Tyrell Dixon (Amanda) and Rob de Fries (Tom)

 

As the son, Tom Wingfield, Rob de Fries shows a deep and appealing understanding of this dreamer remembering his past. Jamie Johnston gives a sweetly touching performance as the fragile daughter, Laura, and John Whinfield is cooly confident as the Gentleman Caller, Jim O’Connor.

John Whinfield (Jim) and Jamie Johnston (Laura)

The meticulous direction by Geoffrey Borny has achieved a fine level of realistic performances from his cast. His use of lighting and sound to enforce the memory aspects of the play is particularly successful. Anna Senior’s fine period costumes help to bring the characters to life.

 

Photos by Ross Gould

 

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

5 LESBIANS EATING A QUICHE (PLAY)

Written by Evan Linder and Andrew Hobgood

Directed by Jarrad West

Everyman Theatre production, at ACT Hub Theatre, Kingston to 1 August

 

Reviewed by Len Power 17 July 2026

 

What do quiches, lesbians and the Cold War have in common?

When the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein convenes for their annual quiche breakfast in 1956, the women find that the sudden end of the world gives them the opportunity to be who they really are.

This delightfully absurd comedy is satirical, poking fun at Cold War paranoia, the joys of quiche as well as American society and attitudes of the 1950s. You don’t have to think too hard. If there’s a message here it might just as well be Lesbians Are Fun!

Director, Jarrad West, has cooked up a crazy and highly entertaining show with a cast of five who attack the comedy with all stops out and clearly have a great time doing it.

West’s set design is a beauty with the ACT Hub theatre re-designed as a very colourful American community meeting place complete with patriotic bunting. Fiona Leech has excelled herself with striking 1950s costumes for the five women.

The cast of the show.

The ensemble cast of Crystal Mahon, Steph Roberts, Sian Harrington, Ylaria Rogers and Meaghan Stewart all give hilarious performances with their clearly defined characterizations. It’s all skilfully played at a breathless pace with excellent comic timing.

The audience is involved in the fun as members of the Society attending the meeting. You have the opportunity to declare your real self along with the other members as the meeting proceeds.

Jarrad West and his cast will ensure you never look at quiche the same way again!

 

Photos by Janelle McMenamin

 

This review was first published by Canberra CityNews digital edition on 18 July 2026.

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

kerosene (Play)

 

Written by Benjamin Nichol

Directed by Lachlan Houen

Performed by Winsome Ogilvie

Off The Ledge Theatre production

The Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre Centre to 18 July

 

Reviewed by Len Power 16 July 2026

 

Award-winning Melbourne playwright, Benjamin Nichol’s first play, “kerosene”, is as inflammatory as its title. A study of rage and loneliness in a time where we’re told we are more connected than ever, it is repellent and ugly but also touching in its cry for help and understanding.

Millie, a rough-talking and acting young teenager, revels in her friendship with Annie as they grow up. Annie leaves Millie behind as she starts dating a boy, but Millie clings to her friendship with Annie and cannot understand why things have to change at all. When Annie returns after some time, a victim of domestic violence, Millie takes out a shocking and remorseless revenge on Annie’s attacker.

This one person play is told from the point of view of the young teenager, Millie. As the years go on, we see her unable to change and grow emotionally, making her feel rejected and lonely. The underlying rage in her personality together with her isolation is the trigger for an explosive act.

Playing Millie would take a lot of courage. Canberra actor, Winsome Ogilvie, alone on stage for the whole play, gives a high energy, intense performance, showing a strong depth of understanding of this character. In the intimate space of the Courtyard Theatre, she’s confronting and like a caged animal prowling around looking for escape.

Winsome Ogilvie (Millie)

Ogilvie gave a memorably fine performance of this tough character, but it needed more light and shade in her delivery. Starting at, and maintaining, such a high pitch, there was a feeling that she had nowhere else to go, when the story demanded an even higher level of intensity.

The stark production of the play with just lighting and minimal sound added to the realism and confronting nature of the show. It was certainly powerful.

 

Promotional photo by Liah Naidoo

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