Charitable Intent

Charitable Intent is the third play in David Williamson's Jack Manning trilogy. Director Christine Ellis' son Brendan directed the first play Face to Face for Stirling Players in 2012 and followed it with A Conversation at the Old Mill Theatre last year. Mum, Christine completes the trilogy for Kalamunda Dramatic Society (KADS).

Set in the training room at charitable organisation E & C (Enabling and Caring), a meeting has been called, following a breakdown in staff relations at the charity.

The cast as a group are very inexperienced, with the majority of performers having only a couple of shows, if that, under their belts, but their stagecraft is sound and the performances and production nicely finished.

Experienced actresses Karen Woodcock-Hall and Kristen Twynam-Perkins both deliver solid performances. Karen Woodcock-Hall, like her character, is competent and efficient without being over showy, while Kristen Twynam Perkins looks very elegant and creates a well nuanced journey in her smaller role.

Caroline McDonnell, in only her third show, does very well as frumpy, victimised Amanda, while Gael Campbell-Young, in her first major role, plays the central, rather complex character and shows much promise as a performer.

Rhett Clarke, playing Jack Manning for the second time, does very well "not doing much" as his character states. He listens actively and maintains character well. John Pomfret was the best I have seen him, creating a strong character as Chairman of the Board. Rounding out the cast are relative newcomers Natalie Aung Thang (who will shortly appear in the title role in Garrick's Miranda) and sweet Kassandra Smith, both working well.

Charitable Intent is by necessity a rather static play, yet the show maintains pace and interest throughout. The set design is clean and apt and the training room set has simple but effective attention to detail. Lighting is appropriate and well managed and audio unobtrusive.

Charitable Intent is a solid production that is a good rendition of David Williamson's well-respected play.

Kimberley Shaw