Adapted by Frank
Galati from the novel by John Steinbeck
Directed by Chris
Baldock
Canberra REP production
Canberra REP Theatre, Acton
to 29 February
Reviewed by Len Power
14 February 2020
“The Grapes of Wrath” is one of those classic stories that
everyone knows something about, even if they haven’t read the book or seen the famous
Henry Fonda movie. Experience a John
Steinbeck story and it will stay with you for the rest of your life.
This story of a farming family fleeing drought-ridden
Oklahoma in 1938 and heading for California with nothing much but an optimism
that is soon sorely tested, shows the good and bad side of humanity. The personal stories of the characters
resonate with us as we take this epic journey with them.
Frank Galati’s expert 1988 stage adaptation teems with the
many colourful characters from the novel and distils the action down to the
essentials.
The play provides actors with opportunities to create
characters of real depth. James McMahon
gives a fine performance at the centre of the play as Tom Joad, the idealistic
young man who is changed forever by his experiences on the road. As Ma Joad, Karen Vickery gives a fiercely
powerful performance as the woman whose family values are a tower of strength
for everyone who is travelling with her.
Employing both subtlety and skill, Michael Sparks gives one
of his best performances ever as the ex-preacher, Jim Casy, and Amy Dunham is
heart-breaking in a fine performance as Rose of Shannon, really getting under
the skin of a young woman with unrealistic expectations of life. John Whinfield as Noah Joad is particularly effective
and touching in a key emotional scene and there is strong, committed work by
everyone else in the huge cast.
Chris Baldock has directed this show superbly. His set design is an atmospheric and
mechanical marvel that propels us deeply into the atmosphere of the time. One beautifully managed complex set change
early in the play got a round of applause from the opening night audience. It was an exciting theatrical moment.
He has achieved an exceptional level of heart-felt and
colourful performances from every member of his large cast.
The lighting design by Stephen Still and sound design by
Neville Pye add considerable atmosphere to the show. Helen Drum’s costume designs for these poor
travellers have a pleasing period authenticity and the Properties team of
Antonia Kitzel and Michael Sparks sourced an unusually vast number of period
items for this show.
With its large cast and period requirements, this is not an
easy play to mount successfully. John
Steinbeck’s writing is still important in this day and age and Chris Baldock’s
production honours the writer while producing its own unique and stirring
vision.
This review was first
published in the Canberra City News digital edition of 15 February 2020
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on the Artsound FM 92.7 ‘In the Foyer’ program on Mondays
and Wednesdays at 3.30pm.
‘THEATRE OF POWER’, a
regular podcast on Canberra’s performing arts scene with Len Power, can be
heard on Spotify, ITunes and other selected platforms.
