Sydney Reviews

The Good Doctor is charismatic and delightful storytelling so thoroughly enjoyable you’ll want to see it twice. In this joyful piece of theatre, playwright, Neil Simon’s brings to the stage several of Anton Chekhov’s short stories.  Chekhov, a Russian playwright, is considered one of the best short story tellers of all time. After watching this Ensemble Theatre production, directed by the talented Sandra Bates, you can see why.

Adriano Cappelletta plays the writer and acts as a narrator for the play. He engages the audience with his wit and, dare I say, charm, and leads us through the stories. He expertly pulls you in to each narrative with humour and sincerity. Once he has set up the story he is supported by a skilled cast of actors who join him in finishing off the telling of these wonderful tales. 

The first story is one of a sneeze that goes too far and in it David Lynch plays the General who has some of my favourite lines in the play. They are insults but they are gorgeous.

Lenore Smith is a chameleon who is barely recognisable from one character to the next. From aristocrat to swindler, from frail to robust, she does it all. 

Nathan Wilson handles his multiple roles so well it is a joy watching him switch personalities. Wilson and Cappelletta share a dynamic tooth wrenching moment that everyone who has ever been to a dentist will empathise with. It makes you cringe and laugh at the same time.

Graham Maclean’s design for the stage work perfectly for this form of storytelling. Although the main set doesn’t change it is amazing how you are transported between different settings simply by the movement of people and furniture. Chairs and tables are moved by Cappelletta as he reflects on the ending of one story and catches the idea for another, acting as bookends for each story. 

Costumes designed and made by Margaret Gill were lovely. Chole Bayliss and Lenore Smith looked stunning in their dresses, whether they be high society gowns or feather boas and ruffled skirts of those girls most often associated with the other end of society.

The Good Doctor was a wonderful insight to the classic tales of a master playwright made so entertaining by a talented writer as well as exceptional cast and crew.


Ensemble Theatre presents
THE GOOD DOCTOR
by Neil Simon

Director Sandra Bates

Venue: Glen Street Theatre | corner Glen Street and Blackbutts Road, Belrose
Dates: 19 – 24 January 2016
Tickets:  $64 – $47 (Student Rush $16)
Bookings: www.glenstreet.com.au | 9975 1455