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.