Joan Lindsay’s classic Australian novel has inspired many adaptations, most famously Peter Weir film starring Rachel Roberts, Dominic Guard, Helen Morse, Vivean Gray and Jacki Weaver.
Weir’s adaptation is very lush with breathtaking costume design and cinematography. For this current New Theatre production director Sahn Millington has chosen Australian playwright Tom Wright’s stage adaptation which was first produced by Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre Company back in 2016.
Wright’s adaptation is far grittier and earthier than Weir’s version. His work’ conveys the creepiness, the sting in the tale. The adaptation begins with five young actresses fronting the centre of the stage and for the next ninety minutes they explore the fateful climb up Hanging Rock and then the reaction back in the College and township.
The five actresses- Megan Bennetts, Alice Birbara, Alana Birtles, Audrey Blyde and Sarah jane Kelly- play a vast array of characters with deft skill.
Millington’s creative team including set designer Victor Kalka, Lighting designer Louise Mason, costume designer Leela Landers, sound and AV designer Patrick Howard, and composer Georgia Condon each make important contributions.
Recommended, ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ is playing the New Theatre, 542 King Street, Newtown until Saturday 18th December, 2020.
Production images by Bob Seary