The Rover

This popular work by English author Aphra Behn – the first female playwright to have a play published - premiered in March 1677. Griffith University’s Class of 2021 acting students, directed by Jacqui Somerville fittingly present their performance in the same month, 344 years later.

The restoration comedy includes the bawdy and laddish humour, love triangles and swordfights common in plays of the era. Behn, however, gives the female characters a strength and intelligence not always seen in other restoration theatre, which may be why this play has better stood the test of time.  

Somerville’s direction is creative and clever, she’s drawn out some bold and energetic performances from the cast. Set design is flexible and allows for quick changes between locations. The costumes span so many centuries it is tricky to pinpoint the era in which this production is meant to be set. Fight scenes are well choreographed by Jason McKell and executed with gusto by the cast.

The performers are well rehearsed, focussed and committed. Stand-outs are numerous and include Rachel Thomas (Hellena), Brigitte Freeme (Angellica Bianca), Tallen Hall (Blunt), and Josh Bull (Belvile).

The script is packed with sexism and certainly inspires healthy debate, especially in the current political climate. The character of Willmore - the ‘rover’ to whom the title refers - is such a cad it’s difficult to like him at all when viewed through a modern lens. Due to the age of the text, some audiences may find the language tricky to follow. The cast should be commended for translating it for a modern audience’s ear. This is an entertaining and lively production for a mature audience.

Kitty Goodall