The cast was amazing.
it was great to see Amanda practising her craft as she had directed a Darlo Drama production I had been involved in last year. We even had a genuine UK import with Huw Higginson immediately recognisable as the character PC George Garfield from Uk TV series The Bill.
Wonderful performances all round.
I found Kate Fitzpatrick and Paul Bertram characterised perfectly an older generation of relationship drama and tensions within a long term marriage.
The actors Alex Beauman, Graeme McRae and Lily Newbury-Freeman captured the younger generations newer take on emotional connections, values and beliefs which they stood up for powerfully.
This play is the UK's sister to August: Osage County. Another powerful drama that draws you into a Midwestern families dysfunction that's passed down from mother to daughter over the life span.
The scene is set for the pain of inter generational trauma, loss and eventual reconnection. I especially loved Granddads speech on being a father very poignant and true. Each dad does the best he can and their sons go on to improve that by being a better father than their own.
All the characters are identifiable and touching despite being set in Manchester, family issues speaks universally.
Wonderfully written this play will leave you thinking and responding to it with an emotional reaction or two - to me this is the heart of live theatre.
I encourage you to see On the Shore of the Wide World at the Griffin Theatre.
Www.griffin.theatre.com.au
