Sydney Reviews

Left – Anthony Gooley. Cover – Danielle King

A story of morality, power, and sexuality. An intensely entertaining plot written by Stephen Jeffreys. A stirring take on it by the Darlinghurst Theatre Company.

Set in the 1600’s under the reign of Charles II, The Libertine, a script based on historical fact, narrates the life of John Wilmot the second Earl of Rochester and his troop of merry men, his friends, counterparts, his followers. 

Wilmot is the lothario of the 1600’s; the play revolves around his ability to woo, and how relationships with the female sex either cloud his judgement or encourage his morality. Three different relationships and three very different women are produce to Wilmot’s flirtations. The Whore, the Wife and the Actress his Muse, three amazing roles, three dramatic outcomes.

Wilmot played by Anthony Gooley began the production by sharing his prologue like a comfortable chat with friends – ‘You will not like me. The Gentlemen will be envious and the ladies will be repelled.’

I don’t think there was one woman repelled by Gooley, he‘s the tall, dark handsome type. His English accent waned at times and maybe over acted once or twice, but he was a looker, which is always something.

A few members of the cast doubled up on roles demonstrating their talent for the stage. Elizabeth Malet, Wilmot’s wife was played incredibly well by Susan Prior, also playing Dolly one of the whores. Comical as a whore and poignant as the wife, Prior is one of the few not to be missed performances of the night. Also stealing the spotlight was James Lugton as Charles Sackville a close companion of Wilmot’s and Mr Harris the actor. His performance was endearing at times, comical and robust at others.

Then we saw Charles II played by Sean O’Shea, Jane – the leading whore played by Naomi Livingston and Alcock, Wilmot’s serving man played by Sam Haft. Characters from all walks of life, actors with the natural ability to command the stage. The roles played by each of these actors were complex in character, movement, dialogue and accent but played perfectly and unbelievably naturally by each performer.

The plot is gripping and the setup intimate and well designed. One plank of wood manoeuvred with skill by cast members divides scenes and settings from others previous. A cellist accompanies sections of dialogue and interludes mixing well with the eerie tones of the play.

Bits and bobs seemed a little peculiar for a production of this standard. A kind of audience participation where Wilmot talked to members of the audience during his prologue, audience members replied with giggles and nervous squirms.

But apart from the feisty prologue the production was well received by the crowd, it was definitely a pin dropping silence, an entertaining and enthralling evening.


Darlinghurst Theatre Company presents
THE LIBERTINE
by Stephen Jeffreys

Directors Damien Ryan & Terry Karabelas

Venue: Darlinghurst Theatre | 19 Greenknowe Avenue, Potts Point
Dates: 24 August – 11 September, 2011
Times: Tuesday – Saturday at 8pm, Sundays at 5pm
Matinees: Saturday 3 September at 3pm
Duration: 2 hours, 30 min plus interval
Tickets: Adult – $37, Student Conc – $32
Bookings: (02) 8356 9987