With George Bernard Shaw’s dramatisation of the life of Joan Of Arc SAINT JOAN we are in the same territory as two other masterpieces of World Drama depicting human heroism, Arthur Miller’s portrait of John Proctor in THE CRUCIBLE and Robert Bolt’s depiction of Sir Thomas Moore in A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS. In an increasingly cynical world, it is even more inspiring to see these great characters being portrayed on stage. Here were people who were prepared to die, and in the case of SAINT JOAN, burn at the stake, rather than sacrifice their deepest held beliefs.
2011 NIDA graduate Joan Sabryna Te’o gives a confident, striking performance in one of theatre’s most prized roles.
One of Sydney theatre’s elder statesmen, Kevin Jackson, who started his career at the Genesian Theatre back in the early seventies, delivers a production befitting one of the great plays. Jackson is well served by a very capable cast and creative team.
The cast featured Sabryna Te’o, Michael Barnacoat, John Willis-Richards, Brynn Loosemore, Samuel Sida, Niyat Berhan, Terry Hou, Jasper Garner-Gore, Martin Searles, James Moir, John Grinston, Marty O’Neill and Jordan Watt.
Owen Gimblett designed the compact set that featured a back screen on which period images were projected, Emma Kingsbury attired the cast in contemporary costumes, and Timothy M Carter soundscape and Michael Schell’s lighting and sound design set the scene well.
Recommended, Kevin Jackson’s production of George Bernard Shaw’s SAINT JOAN opened at the Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, Sydney on Saturday November 4 and runs until Saturday December 1, 2012.
(c) David Kary
13th November, 2012
Tags: Sydney Theatre Reviews- SAINT JOAN , George Bernard Shaw, Genesian Theatre, Kevin Jackson, Sabryna Te’o, Michael Barnacoat, John Willis-Richards, Brynn Loosemore, Samuel Sida, Niyat Berhan, Terry Hou, Jasper Garner-Gore, Martin Searles, James Moir, John Grinston, Marty O’Neill, Jordan Watt, Owen Gimblett, Emma Kingsbury, Timothy M Carter, Michael Schell, Mark Banks, Sydney Arts Guide, David Kary