Death of the Human Resource

Stirling Players’ first show for 2026 was a Sean Guy comedy that was well presented, expertly acted and well received. Sean Guy, a Darwin-based playwright, may well be Perth’s most popular playwright and is giving Will Shakespeare a bit of a challenge.

A murder mystery of sorts, this was a clean and polished show that looked great. Keen fans may notice that this show used the same footprint as the previous two productions, but the Rottnest Cottage turned restaurant, now office building looks very different, and provides a believable locale for this play. Set design by Jay Shaw, Ken Macleod and David Wall, serves the show well, costumes by Fran Gordon, Carol Hughes and the cast are well chosen for character and John Woolwrych provided a thoughtful and emotive lighting design.

Like most of Sean Guy’s plays, Death of the Human Resource is largely character driven, so it falls to director and cast to draw both plot and laughs. Jarrod Buttery is the straight man, as Sergeant Melpo, anchoring the show with authority and the occasional raised eyebrow. Kirstie Francis is great fun as inept and bumbling Officer Thalia.

The suspects are a strange group. Sean Bullock is excellent as high-strung insecure Lee Mackswell, Charlie Young plays very much against type as sleazy and unpleasant Curtis, Gary Angel is believable as IT specialist Peter, while Meredith Hunter is a delight as the improbably named Beyonce, very much not what she seems.

I had the pleasure of watching Death of the Human Resource at a sold-out matinee, where it was very well received. A solid production that augers well for a good year at Stirling Theatre.

Kimberley Shaw