It’s 1935 and a madcap, brilliant English family – four children, their widowed mother and Roger  the dog- arrives on the sun soaked shores of Corfu to start a new life. For eleven year old Gerry Durrell, the exotic landscape, animals and fauna provide the perfect childhood playground. It inspires in him a life-long fascination with the animal kingdom – and his much loved autobiography. MY FAMILY AND OTHER ANIMALS, which was recently shown on television as The Durrells.

The current Genesian Theatre Company production features talented British playwright and theatre director Janys Chambers stage adaptation. The production has been co-directed by Mark G. Nagle and Elizabeth Munro. 

They do great work. Like with any good show I fell under its spell and stayed with it. From the  start, when the eccentric family arrived in the new  country and tried to settle in, seeking help  from the locals with mixed results.

Then there was the constant moving. More than a few times, when issues came up, Louisa would change villas.

The interactions with the Greek locals was always fun; their vitality, over-enthusiasm, and temperamental  behaviour.

There was Gerald’s poetic language, as he fell in love with Corfu and the beginning of his life-long of the natural world.

There was the interactions between the Durrell’s themselves. The mother was trying to keep things going with very mixed results.

Gerald was forever bringing wildlife into the villa. In one classic comic scene he brings snakes in and his brother Leslie is horrified.

Munro and  Nagle’s pacing through the show was very good.

Mitchell Latham’s set is very functional. The work of veteran lighting and sound designer Michael Schell is as reliable as ever. 

Domenique Nesbitt gave an assured, very good performance as Gerald Durrell. Clearly she was the best actor for the role, and it was good that the ‘right gender’ was not imperative.

Cindy De Wet was convincing as mother Louisa, who tried to manage the family but was easily swayed.

Gordan Carroll was good as older, argumentative brother Larry  who had a superior air about him.

Deanna Ruseska was spot on as cheerful sister Margo.

Joash  Stuivenberg was good as the erratic Leslie Durrell who was always carrying a gun around with him. He ends up getting creative and building a boat for his disgruntled younger brother Gerry for his birthday. A small boat comes down from the theatre’s rafters.

Jordan McCabe is fun and well attired as the family dog Roger. Cris Bocchi and Susan Duchateau play two swarming magpies. Special mention to Nicola Fox and Ella Monti looked after the plentiful puppetry and prop creations.

It is a big supporting cast and everyone does well. Special mention for Theo Hatzistergos who played  the ebullient native taxi driver Spiro Hakiapulos.

The play ends on a poetic note with Louisa telling the family that they will have to leave Corfu and return to the mainland as Gerald needs to further his education. Gerald tells the audience that with this decision to leave he kisses his wondrous childhood goodbye.

The curtain goes down to audience applause and then, on a high note, comes up again with the whole cast in a circle doing some full on Greek dancing.

Thank you Genesians for this enlightening, feel good show.

MY FAMILY AND OTHER ANIMALS is playing the Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, Sydney until 22 October 2022.

http://www.genesiantheatre.com.au

https://www.janyschambers.co.uk

Featured photo : Domenique Nesbitt as Gerald Durrell.

Production photography by Vicki Skarratt photography