ACT Reviews 2022-2023 Season

Matt Galloway and Governor Geringer (and the Newsperson) were all very distinct. I particularly enjoyed his Matt Galloway character which was played with a real energy and excitement to tell his story and the physicality of his line "Funnel over" especially stood out to me and made me laugh, it was played with such strong characterisation. Emma-Jane Samworth also showed similarities in her portrayals of her different characters, each having a cheeky, flirty aspect to them. However, they were also all distinct and strongly played and her Reggie Fluty in particular really helped drive the story forwards. Maisie Leaver, Susan Mullen, Simon Bailey, Beverley McKiernan, and Steve Cooke also stood out for their portrayals of five characters who also happened to be gay. It was so refreshing to see these characters not played as stereotypes or for whom their sexuality was their entire identity, but as three-dimensional people with multiple aspects to their lives who, because of their sexuality and, in Romaine Patterson's case, friendship with Matthew, had a particularly emotional connection to his fate. Steve Cooke's Harry in particular almost moved me to tears when he described the impact of the parade and his gratitude to Matthew for inadvertently triggering this drive for acceptance; this was especially impressive when considering the contrast with one of Steve's other characters, Fred Phelps. Maisie's scene as Romaine during her Angel Action protest against Fred Phelps was also an especially powerful moment in the play for me. These were beautiful portrayals all round, and all the more impressive due to their contrasts with the other roles played by each of these actors.

Nico Gatulescu had arguably a particular challenge playing against gender, a challenge which she achieved with aplomb. Nico had an especially strong stage presence and physicality in all her roles, and also managed to make me feel sympathetic