Sydney Reviews

Left – Dion Mills. Cover – Kim Denam

All My Love is a misfortunate love story that spans not only time but the earth itself. It is a slow story of a love that was cut short by a meddling mother. Henry Lawson was a poet and is now considered a literary legend who brought living in colonial Australia to life by the words on his pages. Mary Gilmore was also a poet and writer and these two word smiths shared more than a love of words. 

Kim Denam plays Mary Gilmore and Dion Mills plays Henry Lawson in this production that reveals their story. The two take on these giants of Australian literature and bring you a tale that is so worth telling. The beauty of this production is the characters you don’t see. Denam and Mills manage to create whole personalities and leave you desperate to meet them. The bitter mother who hid letters, smothering a love that could have been. A mad wife who wields weapons of knives and words. These characters and more are only ever talked about. But the emotions that are evoked are compelling. 

All My Love is an interesting period piece that conveys what life was like in the turn of the century. The vastness of the country, the distances people travelled in the hope of a better life or a better job. What the city meant to a person and the good and bad that came with it. Jacob Battista has used the stage well. Lighting helps to mark the passing of time and show the separation of people by physical and emotional obstacles. Old photos are used to invoke rolling seas, shipping yards, outback isolation and city living. 

You leave the theatre wanting to find out more. This production is only the beginning of the story. It will end only once you have googled enough about Lawson, Gilmore and everything that All My Love inspired to satisfy the curiosity that you will walk out with.


Riverside Theatres presents
A Christine Harris & HIT Productions Production
All My Love
by Anne Brooksbank

Director Denny Lawrence

Venue: Lennox Theatre
Dates: 16 – 20 February 2016
Tickets: $29 - $49
Bookings: riversideparramatta.com.au