The Playboy of the Western World

J. M. Synge's The Playboy of the Western World features members of WAAAPA's 3rd Year Acting Class (those not appearing in the excellent recent All My Sons) assisted by 1st Year Acting students and featuring a predominantly student production team from a variety of WAAPA departments.

Dolly-Mere Nettleton's beautifully evocative set transports us to early 1900s Ireland, while the costumes, by designer Ashliegh Hodges have a broken-down, gritty realism. Lighting designer Amelia Blanco notably heightens moments of tension, while Chris Mulchinock's sound design was of the era.

The role of Pegeen Mike could have been written for Claudia Ware who gave the fiery Irish colleen a beautiful assuredness.

Seamus Quinn embraced his Irishness, giving larrikin charm to the title role of Christy Mahon. Luke Fewster was a gorgeous contrast as unlikely local suitor Shawn. Rian Howlett played Old Mahon with formidable power and like all who were playing older characters, had an excellent make-up transformation.

Megan Wilding owned her scenes and was an audience favourite as Widow Quinn, while a trio of local lasses were well played by Shalom Brune-Franklin, Jessica Paterson and Natasha Vickery who formed a delightful team.

Nice comic teamwork also from Lincoln Vickery and Mitchell Bourke as country characters, while Rebecca Gulia very successfully played across gender as Michael James.

A well-crafted story that was directed with warmth by Patrick Sutton. This classic play was a wonderful way to highlight the talents of some excellent up and coming performers and creatives.

Kimberley Shaw

Image: Seamus Ouinn and Claudia Ware (WAAPA 3rd Yr Actors), photo by Kathy Wheatley.