ALMOST, MAINE (PLAY)

Written by John Cariani

Directed by Zac Bridgman

Mockingbird Theatrics production

Belconnen Arts Centre to 28 March

 

Reviewed by Len Power 18 March 2026

 

In the play, Almost, Maine, identification is easy with the emotions of a group of young people quietly getting on with the business of love. Declarations of love are made at the wrong times, peoples’ jumbled emotions suddenly work in their favour and others experience lasting hurt. The small, almost town of Almost, Maine - we’ve been there or we’re going there.

John Cariani’s American play, first produced in Maine in 2004, explores love and loss in 9 short stories happening at the same time in a mythical town in northern Maine in the depths of a cold winter. The emotional journeys in the situations presented are universal.

Alexander Wilson and Wendy Wakwella

At the beginning of the play, a warmly dressed young couple are together on a park bench in a wintry and icy outdoor set under the stars. The setting, designed by Chris Baldock, is so effective, I began to wish I’d brought a jumper with me.

Alastair McKenzie & Wendy Wakwella

The cast of four, Alexander Wilson, Wendy Wakwella, Jayde Dowhy and Alastair McKenzie each play multiple personalities in these short stories. Their performances are very effective as each character they portray has to be established quickly. They handle overlapping dialogue skilfully, giving their characters an emotional honesty. They display fine comic timing and an exceptional ability to play non-verbal moments that are charged with meaning.

Alexander Wilson & Jayde Dowhy

Director, Zac Bridgman, has guided his cast through the various stories with great skill. He ensures the characterizations are well-balanced emotionally, and each story is visually effective and naturally paced.

The lighting and sound designs by Rhiley Winnett and Zac Bridgman are particularly atmospheric.

This play is a charmer. It’s both funny and painful but each of the characters are recognizable people, maybe even ourselves.

 

Photos by Chris Baldock and Zac Bridgman

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

  

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (MUSICAL)

 

Book by Rachel Sheinkin

Music and Lyrics by William Finn

Conceived by Rebecca Feldman

Directed by Nathan Patrech

Canberra Philharmonic Society (Philo) production

Act Hub Theatre, Kingston to 18 March

 

 

Reviewed by Len Power 12 March 2026

 

Using the ACTHub Theatre for this smaller scale musical was a clever move by Philo. The 100 year old Causeway Hall at Kingston provided the perfect atmosphere for the plot of the show.

A bunch of quirky students from various American elementary schools come together at Putnam County school to compete in a spelling competition (the ‘Bee’), which is run by three equally quirky adults.

The show might be quirky, but it needs a strong cast who can bring these colourful characters to life as well as handle the vocally demanding score. Everyone in this cast is more than up to the challenge and make the most of their individual moments to shine.

The ensemble performances of Amelia Andesson-Nickson, Dave Collins, Meaghan Stewart, Joe Mansell, Ella Colquhoun, Sterling Notley, Hannah Miller and Lachlan Nicholls as the students were excellent.

Director, Nathan Patrech, has staged the show simply. He allows the actors to have a lot of fun as adults playing adolescents, but the show is disciplined and fast-paced.

Of the adult characters running the Bee, Amy Kowalczuk is outstanding as Rona Peretti. It was good to hear this accomplished actress singing in a musical again. Tim Stiles gave a fine performance as the strong, but sensitive ex-convict and now Comfort Councillor, Mitch Mahony. Michael Cooper was very funny as Douglas Panch, the Vice Principal, with his officious and edgy performance as the word pronouncer.

Music director, Samara Marinelli, has obtained fine vocal performances from everyone in the cast. Lachlan Ruffy provided strong choreography that suited the individual characters. Jennie Norbury’s costumes looked very funny and somehow were worn just right by the students. The adults’ costumes were well chosen for a school function.

This is a funny, very noisy show with memorable characters. Before the show, audience members are given the opportunity to put their names down to participate onstage in the spelling competition. The three people selected on opening night clearly had a lot of fun and were pretty good spellers, too.

 

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

 

MY BRILLIANT CAREER (MUSICAL)

Book by Sheridan Harbridge & Dean Bryant

Music by Mathew Frank, Lyrics by Dean Bryant

Directed by Anne-Louise Sarks

Melbourne Theatre Company production

Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra Theatre to 15 March

 

Reviewed by Len Power 8 March 2026

 

Miles Franklin’s much-loved 1901 book, My Brilliant Career, became a deserved success as a movie in 1979. Could lightning strike twice with this new musical staging of the story? The answer is a resounding ‘Yes’!

The story focuses on a young woman, Sybylla Melvin, in rural Australia in the late 19^th century whose aspiration to become a writer is at odds with society’s expectations of a woman at that time.

The cast of 10 create a series of vivid country characters and, when they’re not acting, they’re the musicians as well! With the band onstage throughout and part of the action, it’s like being at a bush concert with a story. Marg Horwell’s clever set design suggests the time and locations and her costume design adds period colour to the actors’ characterizations.

 

Kala Gare (Sybylla) and cast members

Outstanding in the Melbourne Theatre Company cast is Kala Gare in the central role of Sybylla. From the beginning, Gare draws the audience in with her energetic, brash, funny and deeply sensitive performance as this young woman. She sings superbly and dances like a whirlwind.

Kala Gare (Sybylla)

The other cast members play multiple roles. There is particularly fine work by Raj Labade as Harry, the man who wants to marry Sybylla, Drew Livingstone as Father and Jay-Jay, Ana Mitsikas as Grannie and Christina O’Neill as Mother and Helen. Melanie Bird, Lincoln Elliott, Cameron Bajraktarevic-Hayward, Victoria Falconer and Jarrad Payne also give vivid characterizations.

Mathew Frank, music, and Dean Bryant, lyrics, have produced a rousing score that blends contemporary pop, bush ballad and raucous pub rock. There are several memorable songs including, This Piano, Turn Away From The Mirror, I Will Wait With You and Someone Like Me. The whole cast play and sing this appealing musical score very well.

Kala Gare (Sybylla)

Expertly directed by Anne-Louise Sarks, this is a magical show that offers everything that a good musical should. The music lifts the story to another level emotionally, while the cast offer striking performances in this strong, well-presented story with an atmospheric setting.

 

Photos by Pia Johnson

This review was first published by Canberra CityNews digital edition on 9 March 2026.

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