Doubt
Produced by Sydney Theatre Company

Cast: Alison Bell, Jennifer Flowers, Christopher Garbardi, Pamela Jikiemi

Written by: John Patrick Shanley
Director: Julian Meyrick

Publicist: Wesley Slattery, Patrich Shand (STC)

Australian Premiere: Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre, Sydney. Saturday, February 4, 2006.


The Lowdown:
The first show from Sydney Theatre Company's 2006 season.


AussieTheatre.com Review:
Sister Aloysius likes things to happen her way. She is not afraid to speak what she believes to be the truth, not scared of telling people what is wrong or right about them and she's certainly not happy when she doesn't get her own way. In fact, she's an absolute bitch.

She is the central character in John Patrick Shanley's Doubt, which under the direction of the Sydney Theatre Company lives up to the hype that the hit New York production attracted.

This is a brilliantly written play with a subject matter rarely looked at by professional theatre companies. This is no little love story with a happy ending, nor is it an office drama where someone's backstabbing someone else (although David, we do miss them). It's a powerful, hard-hitting and emotional play, and despite and ending that is a little hard to swallow, it is a five star piece of theatre.

The play focuses on Sister Aloysius, the principal of a Roman Catholic school in 1960's America, and her hatred of Father Flynn, played with gusto by respected actor Christopher Gabardi. With a little help from a naïve and frightened Sister James (Alison Bill), Sister Aloysius makes allegations against Father Flynn that he made advances towards a young student - allegations that may or may not have substance, depending on how you look at it.

The play looks at Sister Aloysius' quest to prove Father Flynn's guilt, as well as the flip side - Father Flynn is trying to prove he has done nothing wrong.

The play starts with a great comedic feel as we are introduced to Sister Aloysius and her strange ideas and beliefs. The first 20 minutes are full of laughs but the play ultimately takes a drastic turn - introducing the sexual harassment claim. From here, the action really doesn't stop. Until the abrupt conclusion that is - a conclusion that is without doubt the play's weakest link. The ending has a purpose and a point - but personally, I like to walk out of the theatre knowing the result. This felt like walking out of a rugby league game after a draw or a cricket match that had been rained out.

But despite the ending, this play stands on its own as a brilliant and well written piece of theatre, that will without doubt stand the test of time. Some of its core messages still exist today, and those that don't deserve to exist in a piece like this, to remind us of a time when the world was crying out for advancement, but getting nothing.

As Sister Aloysius, Jennifer Flowers is brilliant - she plays the role so strongly and convincingly, particularly given the difficult nature of it. Pamela Jikiemi may have an essential cameo role, but she appears in one of the most crucial and intriguing parts of the play, and leaves a lasting memory. As for Alison Bell, she's superb, if not a little over-shadowed by Flowers.

See Doubt - it could be the STC's best all year.


Production Shots:



Further Information:
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