The Boys - Nice Productions - Review

The Boys - Nice Productions - Review

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Posted 2016-02-12 by Jenfollow

Wed 10 Feb 2016 - Sat 20 Feb 2016


**Wednesday 10 to Saturday 13 February at 8pm
Wednesday 17 to Saturday 20 February at 8pm
Gasworks Studio, 21 Graham St, Albert Park (cnr. Pickles St)
Standard: $33; Concession: $25; Group (5 ): $23.
Leap Year Special: $22 (For Wed 17 Feb Performance Only)
Buy tickets online or call (03) 9699 3253**


The Boys is a play by West Australian Gordon Graham who began his writing career as a playwright while still a student at the University of Western Australia. The pack-rape murder case that shocked the nation of a young nurse in Sydney, Anita Cobby , inspired Gordon Graham to respond by delving into the reality of male violence.

Directed by Luci Kendo who drew on her experience as a performer, writer and mental health professional, the cast consists of Linda Cookson Zilinskas as Sandra, the mother, and her three sons, the Spragg brothers, are played by Michael Shanahan as Brett, the eldest, Ben Taylor as Glenn and the youngest Malachi Grimsley as Stevie. The women in their lives are Rebecca Fortuna as Michelle (Brett's girlfriend), Heidi Luppran as Jackie (Glenn's girlfriend) and Lucy Orr as Nola (Stevie's girlfriend).


For every ticket sold, Nice Productions are donating $2 to the Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria , in support of the work they do to prevent family violence and promote healthy respectful relationships.

Nice Productions was founded by actor, writer and director Vlady T in 2011, its mission, to empower the creatives and to produce high quality theatre. They push the boundaries and will get into your face and into your head and they don't shy away from strong theatrical statements. Since establishment, their productions have included seven original plays.


The Boys is about about three brothers and the women who love them. It's about simmering short fuses and smouldering rage, inadvertently directed at the women in their lives.

Brett Spragg has just returned to his suburban Sydney home from jail and there's a welcome party afoot. However things don't quite go as planned, or as the boys hope. The women in their lives are not quite behaving the way the boys wish they would.

Brett wants a car, even though he doesn't have the means. His little brother Glenn is not so little anymore and he doesn't always do as his big brother wants, like he used to. He has a life of his own now.


The youngest Stevie has a problem which he wishes would just go away, because it's not what he wanted in the first place. It seems their women have in some small way contributed to life not going for the boys as they desire.

The women don't always get what they want either. Sandra, the mother, loves her boys and tries to keep the peace. Family is everything to her and she welcomes her son's women to be a part of her household. The women are divided, each one wrestling with the idea of love and loyalty, what they want to believe, be it close or far from the truth.


The whole house is a melting pot of discontent, short fuses and desperation. Add a barbecue with drinks flowing, pent up anger and frustrations, and the night slowly changes and evolves, ready to erupt.

Sitting in the very first row was the best decision I made. I was like a fly on the wall, fully engaged and involved in what was going on for this family, all around me. I was the invisible visitor right in the centre of it all.

The director has made sure our attention doesn't waver from what is unfolding before our very eyes. In the first row, the actors come so close, you can't help but be with them in the moment. The set was simple, with a cane couch that went back and forth to represent indoors and outdoors, which was minimalistic and clever. The lighting was basic but effective, but who notices it when the actors loom large before you.


Michael Shanahan as Brett is a force to be reckoned with. He's fearless and fierce in absorbing the character he plays. He's believable and his presence is commanding and dominating. You can't take your eyes off him as he draws you in to his character.

Ben Taylor as middle brother Glenn is perfect with his baby face as it retains the illusion of him being all grown up now, with a face that reminds you it wasn't that long ago he was only young and trailing after his big brother Brett. He gives as good as he gets and is a worthy equal to Michael Shanahan, even though his role is not as meaty.

Linda Cookson Zilinskas as Sandra the mother is just perfection on stage. She's so believable as a mother and a woman dealing with her lot in life, doing her best within the parameters of her poverty.

Rebecca Fortuna and Heidi Luppran as Michelle and Jackie held their own, however, this was a play about 'The Boys'. There are two timelines in the story and I didn't immediately get it at first as I didn't know the play and the shift wasn't obvious.

There were a few times I had difficulty in hearing Stevie's girlfriend Nola, played by Lucy Orr. Nothing that detracted from the play, but I was so engaged, I wanted to hear every word enunciated. All in all, it's a play you definitely should not miss as the acting, especially from the above mentioned is outstanding.

Make sure you're up-front, close and personal. Get your tickets HERE !



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#february
!date 10/02/2016 -- 20/02/2016
%wnmelbourne
140939 - 2023-06-13 17:21:44

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