Letters to Lindy

Letters to Lindy is a verbatim theatre piece based on letters to Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton, convicted then cleared of the murder of her daughter Azaria, who was taken by a dingo near Uluru, then known as Ayers Rock in 1980.

Lindy had kept all her correspondence, more than 20,000 letters, which are now housed in archive boxes in the National Library

Simply staged on a mostly bare stage, with archive boxes and clothes racks for quick changes, focus is kept on the four performers.

Central character Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton is played with strong Australian accident by Maree Gaydon, delivering a likeable and nuanced performance that endears her to the audience. The remaining three actors Laura Mercer, Kate O'Sullivan, and Ellin Sears act as both Greek chorus and play numerous characters as the story of Lindy Chamberlain is told from before Azaria's disappearance almost up to the present day.

The four actresses work well together as a team, as the letters are read, ranging from pure vitriol, through supportive, funny and poignant. While there are no real surprises for anyone who has followed this story over the years or who has read Chamberlain-Creighton’s autobiography Through My Eyes, the production is nicely staged, thoughtfully directed and well-acted.

Lovely to see Melissa Merchant back in the director's chair and to see Melville staging yet another new Australian play.

Kimberley Shaw