Things I Know To Be True
Every time I see a Wyong Drama Group production I am always immediately struck by the attention to detail with the scenery. When I walked in to see this play however, I noticed very quickly that there was clearly less decoration on the stage. Apart from the fact that this play is mainly set in the backyard, the reason for the relatively pared back scenery soon becomes very apparent: it simply isn’t necessary. The quality of the performances in this dramatic production is so high that any superfluous decoration would only be a potential distraction.
All six performers in the cast showed a very wide range of emotions and were consistently true to their characters. The audience felt the love between the family members, were impressed by the intensity of their interactions with one another and impressed by the outbursts of rage. This was some of the best acting that I have ever seen on the Central Coast and I have been performing/directing/watching community theatre for many decades.
Gavin Fryer, a regular performer on the Central Coast, is very strong as the head of the household. We are completely convinced of his love for his wife, his children and his roses. He is more than ably supported by Sally Bartley in the mother role and these two ride the roundabout of a marital relationship in a highly believable manner. Bartley’s swinging between joy and frustration with her husband and children is a very realistic presentation of motherhood. These two really are the linchpin of the whole play and their acting is incredibly strong.
Rebecca Flints’ performance as Pip, their eldest daughter who yearns for some passion in her life, is close to the bone for a lot of mothers in their early to mid-thirties who suddenly feel unsatisfied with their lives. It was very easy to sympathise with her plight. Adam Golledge plays Mark, a young man who has been keeping a difficult secret from the family, with great conviction and sensitivity. He navigates the various responses from his loved ones with a maturity that defies his youthful appearance. It wouldn’t surprise me if I next see this young actor on a professional stage.
The role of the other son Ben is played by Byron Reeson and his character arc goes from jovial to highly agitated with startling pace. This is Byron’s first venture onto the stage, and he is to be congratulated for tackling such a heavy piece of theatre straight out of the gate. He may had had a few nerves, but his performance was a successful entry into community theatre. Finally, Rosie the baby of the family is brought to life by Georgie Martin and her heart-breaking monologue at the start of the play sets the tone perfectly for the tension and tears to follow from the entire cast. Three of the four actors playing the children have performed with Wyong Drama Group before and hopefully we will be seeing all four of them again here in the future.
Julie Bailey has done an outstanding job with this production. Not only has she cast this play perfectly, but professional pace was maintained throughout, and the tension was successfully maintained over the scenery change blackouts. This really is a play not to be missed.
Things I Know To Be True will continue until Saturday 22nd November and deserves to play to full houses at every performance. I don’t often give full marks to shows or plays that I review but this piece of theatre really is something special.
10 roses out of 10.
Fiona Kelly
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