Judith Bedard’s production for the Epicentre Theatre Company evocatively brings John Steinbeck’s classic story, ‘Of Mice and Men’ to life.

‘Of Mice and Men’ is the story of two migrant men, George and Lennie, as they find work where they can in America during the great depression. Their dream is to buy a ranch of their own and live off the fat of the land, a dream that they are destined never to achieve.

The hallmark of the production was the strong sense of atmosphere that it generated. The features were the haunting use of silhouettes of men bearing arms that book-ended the play, Bedard’s good use of music in particular with Wayne McDaniel’s evocative voice and excerpts of opera music, and John Harrison’s effective lighting design.

The cast recreate Steinbeck’s world with focus and conviction. Cheyne Fynn delivers a stand-out, memorable performance as the simple minded giant Lennie unaware of his own strength, and Andy Madden is solid as the salt af the earth, sensitive George.

Highlights in the supporting cast were Oliver Clarke as Curley, the boss’s son who was a former professional boxer and is a bit of a loose canon, Katherine Sheerer as Curley’s lonely, flirtatious wife, who is always giving men ‘the eye’, and Wayne McDaniel as the crippled black ranch-hand Crooks, who lives in a separate stable from the main farm, and is forever singing the blues.

Judith Bedard’s revival builds up well to the play’s crushing resolution. This current production ‘Of Mice and Men’ plays the Zenith theatre, corner of Railway and McIntosh streets, Chatswood until the 19th June, 2010.