BEDROOM FARCE (PLAY)

 

Written by Alan Ayckbourn

Directed by Aarne Neeme

Canberra REP production

Canberra REP Theatre, Acton to 7 March

 

Reviewed by Len Power 20 February 2026

 

Alan Ayckbourn’s ‘Bedroom Farce’ was first performed in 1975 at the height of his most successful period of commercial success in England. He has written over 90 plays of which more than 40 have been produced in London’s West End.

In the play, three very different couples are seen in their bedrooms on a particular evening – an elderly couple preparing to go to their wedding anniversary dinner at a favourite restaurant, a couple who enjoy practical jokes preparing to host a party and a third couple who have been invited to that party but only the wife can attend because her husband is in bed with a bad back. A fourth unhappily married young couple also invited to the party will create a night of memorable chaos involving all three of those couples.

This play shows Ayckbourn at his best, commenting on the foibles of human behaviour and marriage in a very recognizable way. We all know people like this. Director, Aarne Neeme has ensured that the individual characters of the play are grounded in reality, allowing the humour to flow naturally.

Pat Gallagher (Ernest) and Sally Reinveld (Delia)

There is fine work from each of the performers. Pat Gallagher and Sally Rynveld are very effective as a couple who have been together for a long time and are aware of each other’s faults while managing to remain close. Rob de Fries and Azerie Cromhout are very funny as a couple where he is unwell and needy while she is not as sympathetic as he would like.

Rob de Fries (Nick) and James Grudnoff (Trevor)

Lachlan Abrahams and Antonia Kitzel deftly capture the fun of a practical joking couple as well as their growing frustration as their evening is ruined. James Grudnoff and Lara Connolly give fine characterizations of a warring married couple who go through life selfishly unaware of their impact on others.

Antonia Kitzel (Kate) and Lachlan Abrahams (Malcolm)

Andrew Kay’s striking set design of three bedrooms side by side cleverly shows aspects of each of the characters and the costume designs by Cate Clelland suit each of the characters perfectly.

This is a very funny play about recognizable married couples which has not dated at all. You might even see yourselves on that stage.

Photos by Cathy Breen

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.

 

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (PLAY)

 Adapted by Lee Hall from the screenplay by Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman

Directed by Chris Baldock

Mockingbird Theatre Company

Belconnen Arts Theatre to 28 February

 

Reviewed by Len Power 11 February 2026

 

Sometimes a stage adaptation of a much-loved movie can be a disappointment, but with Lee Hall’s adaptation and Chris Baldock’s inventive and fastidious direction, this production of ‘Shakespeare In Love’ is a colourful love letter to theatre, Shakespeare and the art of creation.

The wit and cleverness of the screenplay by Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman remain in this Elizabethan tale of an author desperately trying to overcome writers’ block with his fledgling play, Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter. The colourful background of the theatre and its inhabitants of the time provide distraction and inspiration as well as an unexpected romance for the author.

On a simple but effective set that evokes the theatre of the period, Chris Baldock has assembled a large group of performers who bring this entertaining story skilfully to life. Although the major characters of the story dominate the action, everyone on that stage presents a fully developed and colourful character. It really is ensemble acting at its best.

Members of the company

Tom Cullen is a sensitive and appealing Shakespeare, while James Phillips gives playwright, Kit Marlowe, a sly and biting intelligence. There are also fine performances by Anto Hermida as Henslow, Asha Forno as Viola de Lesseps, Richard Manning as Richard Burbage, Bruce Hardie as Lord Wessex, Sachin Nayak as both Lord Edmund Tilney and Sir Robert de Lesseps, Sian Harrington as Nurse, Mia Dimovski as Mistress Quickly and Peter Fock as Fennyman.

Tom Cullen (Shakespeare) and James Phillips (Kit Marlowe)

Liz St Clair Long is a standout in her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I. Making the most of her short appearances in the plot, she commands the stage with the Queen’s imperiousness as well as her underlying sense of humour.

Tom Cullen - Left (Shakespeare) and Asha Forno - Right (Viola de Lesseps) and members of the company

The costumes by Maya Hadfield, Sian Harrington and Liz St Clair Long are nicely detailed, colourful and correctly in period.

The director keeps the action fast and furious throughout, ensuring that everyone in this enthusiastic cast presents a strong characterization. This is theatre of a high standard, clever, funny and enormously entertaining.

 

Photos by Chris Baldock

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.

 

 

A HANDEL CELEBRATION (CONCERT)

 

Canberra Choral Society

Erin Helyard, director

Myriam Arbouz, soprano

Llewellyn Hall, December 13

 

Reviewed by Len Power

Promising arias and choruses from the greatest works of Georg Frideric Handel, the Canberra Choral Society provided a huge choir to sing the many choruses and French soprano, Myriam Arbouz to sing the arias. It was all directed by Sydney’s Erin Helyard.

Myriam Arbouz has established herself as one of the most compelling interpreters of baroque and early classical repertoire. She has performed across Europe, Australia and beyond.

Erin Helyard is artistic director and co-founder of Pinchgut Opera and the Orchestra of the Antipodes (Sydney). He is also Associate Professor at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

For this Come & Sing event, the 160-member choir, prepared by Canberra based composer, conductor and performer, Dan Walker, included 80 guest singers from the Canberra community.

Canberra Choral Society, guest singers and orchestra with director, Erin Helyard

Helyard addressed the audience at the beginning of the concert, saying that, in his opinion, Handel’s music and his works were Theatre of the Mind, conjuring up colourful ancient stories and characters. To open the program, Sinfonia from Handel’s early opera Agripinna was played by the orchestra, taking us deep into Handel’s world.

A large program of choruses was presented. Many were familiar and the huge choir impressed with the depth and accuracy of their singing. The words in English were very clear and easily understood.

It was all so well performed by the choir. Particularly outstanding were Jealously! from Hercules with its contrasting soft and dramatic passages and Funeral Anthem For Queen Caroline with its beautiful, sombre beginning. The very well-known Zadok the Priest was given a rousing performance, with trumpeters Zach Raffan and Sam Hutchinson playing superbly. Two choruses from the oratorio Theodora were also memorably sung as was the moving finale of Handel’s Messiah.

 

Myriam Arbouz, soprano with Erin Helyard, director

Soprano, Myriam Arbouz, sang four arias. Her beautiful, clear soprano, and the depth of feeling she presented in each item to bring her characters to life, showed why she is so renowned as a performer. Each aria she sang was a highlight of the program. The well-known Lascia ch’io pianga (Let me weep) from Rinaldo was given a refreshing new depth in her interpretation and the emotional Ombre pallide from Alcina was also memorably sung.

The orchestra gave a fine performance throughout and the thoughtfully chosen items of the program produced a true celebration of Handel’s music, ending the year on a high note.

 

Photos by Peter Hislop

This review was first published by Canberra CityNews digital edition on 14 December 2025.

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