SYDNEY ARTS GUIDE REVIEW
"In the stand-out performance of the night, Katherine Shearer’s Amanda gives a strong portrait of a hard working, controlling, conservative woman."
David Kary, Sydney Arts Guide
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Epicentre Theatre June 2010
Epicentre Theatre Company Inc. Director: Judith Bedard.
The Zenith Theatre, Chatswood (NSW). June 5 to 19, 2010
Lennie, George and ‘Curley's Wife,' the dreamers of John Steinbeck'sOf Mice and Men, are outcasts in bleak, brutal Great Depression America.
Adapted from the dark humanity of Steinbeck's novella, Of Mice and Men makes a fairly grim piece of theatre too. But given strong central performances, and Judith Bedard's penetrating direction, it also makes for moving, powerful theatre
Two itinerant farm workers share a dream of their own small farm. The savvy George protects the physically strong but simple-minded Lennie, whose desire to stroke soft things has resulted in them being on the run.
Employed at a new farm, they cross paths with 'Curley's Wife,' a young woman with Hollywood dreams - when Lennie strokes her soft hair, everyone's dreams unravel.
Andy Madden's George is effectively savvy, Cheyne Fynn is absolutely believable and truthful as the simple Lennie, and the chemistry between the two propels the drama strongly throughout.
As 'Curley's Wife,' Katherine Shearer combines the flirtatious, coy and vulnerable seamlessly.
Foreboding, established at the outset and never far from the surface, is realised chillingly in the scene where Lennie inadvertently kills 'Curley's Wife.' It's a convincing, tightly staged moment.
Neil Litchfield - Stage Whispers
AUSTRALIAN STAGE REVIEW written by Lloyd Bradford Skye
"Katherine Shearer is compelling for the restraint she shows as Curley's faithless wife: rather than play a full-on Monroesque seductress, she taunts with feigned (or perhaps real) innocence, rather than girly coyness. But one button on her blouse too many left undone and a certain languid posture caries the role."
