Written by Anne
Brooksbank
Directed by Denny
Lawrence
Christine Harris
& HIT Productions
Q Theatre, Queanbeyan
to 27 February
Review by Len Power
24 February 2016
If you knew little about Henry Lawson and Mary Gilmour and
looked to Wikipedia for information, you’d find that the only stated connection
between them was that Lawson was the greatest influence on Gilmour’s writing. The content of Anne Brooksbank’s play, ‘All
My Love’, is a revelation about the relationship between these two Australian literary
icons. Based on excerpts from the couple’s
surviving letters, the play tells the moving story of an intense friendship
between Lawson and Gilmour and the life decisions and influence of others that
kept them apart.
The play consists of a number of short scenes which tell the
couple’s story over many years. The
character of Henry Lawson is most successfully realized but there needs to be
more detail about Mary Gilmour and the influences on her writing.
The set design by Jacob Battista is simple and practical and
includes slide projections to give a sense of location. It looks a little overwhelmed on the Q’s
large stage and would probably work better in smaller venues. The atmospheric lighting design, also by
Battista, works very well. Costumes by
Sophie Woodward are nicely in period and the sound design by Chris Hubbard and music
by composer, Jack Ellis, enhance the sense of location and time.
The two cast members give compelling characterizations. Dion Mills, as Henry Lawson, gives a great
physical and vocal performance as this initially shy, rough young man from the country. He is particularly impressive as Lawson ages
and battles with alcohol addiction. Kim
Denman, as Mary Gilmour, is very appealing as an intelligent woman constrained
by the time she lived in. Their later
scenes in the play where they still have passion for each other but cannot be
together are very touching.
Director, Denny Lawrence, has done a fine job keeping the show
moving swiftly from scene to scene and has obtained a nice depth of characterization
from his actors.
‘All My Love’ is an absorbing drama that gives a strong
feeling of an earlier time in our country’s history. The story of these two fascinating Australians
is very moving.
Len Power’s reviews
can also be heard on ‘Artcetera’ on Artsound FM 92.7 from 9am on Saturdays.
