Mother and Son

Rockingham Theatre Company is currently presenting Mother and Son, a new play based on the original 1980s Australian TV series. Unlike most TV to stage adaptations, this one is written specifically for stage performance, and explores new ideas as the beloved Maggie comes to terms with today’s challenges including telephone scammers, FaceTime, and mobile phones.

Director Helen Brown’s set design beautifully creates Maggie and Arthur’s living room, seamlessly finished with a projected backdrop. The rear screen is also used for other purposes such as when Maggie FaceTimes with grandchildren Bronte and Jarrod - where we see real-life siblings Liv and Dylan (sort of) make their stage debut. Effective and plot dependent lighting is facilitated by Callon Leam, who also operates the projector, with essential sound well facilitated by Peter Shaw.

Beryl Francis does a lovely job as the frustratingly dotty Maggie Beare, and while she is not Ruth Cracknell (none of us are) she makes the role her own. Sometimes though, her slower and hesitant delivery, while accurate, kills some laughs that are just within reach. Shaun Griffin has somehow channelled 1980s Garry McDonald and put him on The Castle stage. A picture-perfect Arthur Beare, including the bald pate, this is a performance that inhabits the character and reignites it, rather than a slavish copy - excellent work.

Mat Fisher plays brother Rob with believable laid-back selfishness, working well with director Helen Brown (pulling double duty) as wife Liz. Carlie Drake creates a pleasant and likeable Anita, Arthur’s new girlfriend.

In smaller roles, Ellie Tomsett makes her Australian stage debut, efficient as Social Worker Stephanie, while Yuvvin Chetty works hard from the wings as the Call Centre Voice. At the performance I viewed, Deb Fewster, making her stage debut, was absent due to sudden injury and resulting surgery, so Michelle Smith swung into the role at very short notice, doing an admirable job.

It was lovely to sit among a matinee audience that were clearly having a ball and being very well cared for by Rockingham’s army of red jacketed front of house volunteers. A solid production that provides laughs and nostalgia.

Kimberley Shaw