kerosene

 

Written by Benjamin Nichol

Directed by Lachlan Houen

Performed by Winsome Ogilvie

Off The Ledge Theatre production

The Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre Centre to 18 July

 

Reviewed by Len Power 16 July 2026

 

Award-winning Melbourne playwright, Benjamin Nichol’s first play, “kerosene”, is as inflammatory as its title. A study of rage and loneliness in a time where we’re told we are more connected than ever, it is repellent and ugly but also touching in its cry for help and understanding.

Millie, a rough-talking and acting young teenager, revels in her friendship with Annie as they grow up. Annie leaves Millie behind as she starts dating a boy, but Millie clings to her friendship with Annie and cannot understand why things have to change at all. When Annie returns after some time, a victim of domestic violence, Millie takes out a shocking and remorseless revenge on Annie’s attacker.

This one person play is told from the point of view of the young teenager, Millie. As the years go on, we see her unable to change and grow emotionally, making her feel rejected and lonely. The underlying rage in her personality together with her isolation is the trigger for an explosive act.

Playing Millie would take a lot of courage. Canberra actor, Winsome Ogilvie, alone on stage for the whole play, gives a high energy, intense performance, showing a strong depth of understanding of this character. In the intimate space of the Courtyard Theatre, she’s confronting and like a caged animal prowling around looking for escape.

Winsome Oglivie (Millie)

Ogilvie gave a memorably fine performance of this tough character, but it needed more light and shade in her delivery. Starting at, and maintaining, such a high pitch, there was a feeling that she had nowhere else to go, when the story demanded an even higher level of intensity.

The stark production of the play with just lighting and minimal sound added to the realism and confronting nature of the show. It was certainly powerful.

 

Promotional photo by Liah Naidoo

Len Power's reviews are also broadcast on Artsound FM 92.7 in the ‘Arts Cafe’ and ‘Arts About’ programs and published in his blog 'Just Power Writing' at https://justpowerwriting.blogspot.com/.