Arts

Theatre Review: Jack Maggs

This is theatre at its best — powerful, emotional and captivating

This is theatre at its best — powerful, emotional and captivating
5

Presented by: State Theatre Company South Australia in association with Adelaide Festival Centre
Reviewed: 19 November, 2024

State Theatre Company South Australia have a real winner on their hands with their final production for 2024. Jack Maggs is a masterclass in theatre. Engaging and gripping, this production holds you in the palm of its hand from the moment you walk into the theatre.

This world premiere by Samuel Adamson is based on the novel by best-selling and award-winning author Peter Carey, which in turn is a reworked telling of Charles Dickens’ novel Great Expectations. Adamson’s script moves at an exciting, rapid pace which, combined with Geordie Brookman’s expert directorial eye, transports audiences to another world and time. 

Set in 19th-century London, Jack Maggs, an ex-convict, returns to London from Australia determined to find his son Henry Phipps, who has mysteriously disappeared. He quickly gets caught up in the life and unusual household of Phipps’ neighbour, Percy Buckle. Whilst working in Buckle’s household, he strikes a deal with the young novelist Tobias Oates to find Phipps, but Oates has other plans as he finds Maggs the perfect inspiration for his new novel. 

This is a magical piece of ensemble theatre. At its helm is Ahunim Abebe as Mercy Larkin, James Smith as Tobias Oates and Mark Saturno as Jack Maggs. Abebe slips between narrator and maid in Buckle’s household. She draws you in from her very first line and her performance is hypnotic — one cannot help but watch her, even when your attention should be elsewhere. James Smith and Mark Saturno work perfectly hand in hand with each other. Both Smith and Saturno have found plenty of light and shade with these roles, however it is Saturno’s performance that totally captivates the audience. The character of Jack Maggs carries such an emotional weight on his shoulders and Saturno brings this across to the audience in such a masterful way. One moment we are feeling his grief and anguish, then at a sudden snap we are left in fear of the rage and anger that Maggs has towards those around him. 

The remaining cast, Jacqy Phillips, Jelena Nicdao, Rachel Burke, Nathan O’Keefe and Dale March are equally as impressive. Each of these fine performers switch in and out of various roles with ease through the use of adding clothing items and changing their physical movement and their voice.

Jack Maggs
 is slick. From costuming, set, cast, lighting, sound design — everything about this production works seamlessly with each other. Upon entry to the auditorium, we see the cast on stage going through their warm up routine. Designer Ailsa Paterson has done a remarkable job with both costume and set design. There are no legs (side curtains that hide the wings of the theatre) and throughout the whole production we can see the carefully worked out backstage choreography as the cast moves the set around — this is pure genius direction at work here. Nigel Levings’ lighting design is equally as impressive. Lighting shadow is not an easy job, but Levings creates a captivating atmosphere, especially with the use of side lighting. In the opening of the second act, the use of a single candle to create the only light source was mesmerising to watch the shadows dance in the flickering flame. Hilary Kleinig’s stunning score perfectly accompanied the entire production. At times the cast played the underscore live.

This is theatre at its best — powerful, emotional and captivating. With performances running up until November 30, do what you can to see this brilliant production before it closes. 

Reviewed by Ben Stefanoff

Photo credit: Matt Byrne

Venue: Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre
Season: 15 – 30 November, 2024
Duration: 2 hours and 40 minutes, including a 20 minute interval
Tickets:
Matinees: Adult $85, Concession $75, Under 30/Student $49
Evenings: Adult $95, Concession $85, Under 30/Student $49
Bookings: https://statetheatrecompany.com.au/shows/jack-maggs/

Content Warning: Contains some coarse language and adult themes, fog, theatrical haze, smoke, blood, loud noises and flashing lights.

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