Tough and Tender...

From laughter to tears, love to jaw-dropping twists, Sydney Theatre Company’s new adaptation of D’Arcy Niland’s “The Shiralee” delivers it all. Directed by Jessica Arthur, this production transforms the well-known Australian novel into a poetic and deeply human story about growth and the weight we carry through life, our “shiralees”. This adaptation by Kate Mulvany (who also stars as Marge, Macauley’s wife) is beautifully done - perfectly paced, well-structured, and engaging right from the first scene - the two and a half hours flew by!

The story follows Macauley (Josh McConville), a rugged itinerant worker travelling through 1950s Australia with his young daughter, Buster (Ziggy Resnick). What begins as a reluctant partnership becomes a heartfelt journey. Through shifting towns, strained relationships, and lots of Aussie wit, the story evolves into something universal, a reflection on how love can both burden and transform us. The play also touches on themes of generational trauma, depicting the influence our parents have on the way we behave and choose to parent. It is both entertaining and quietly profound; a reminder of the depth and compassion that come from understanding a person’s upbringing.

The acting is phenomenal. Josh McConville gives a compelling performance as Macauley; you feel every fiery frustration, at times almost too well – I was genuinely scared! But the capacity to build such strong relationships with the audience, to the point where we sympathise and viscerally connect with the characters and their struggles, is truly remarkable. Kate Mulvany deserves particular mention, not only for adapting the story but for her portrayal of Marge. Her performance is subtle yet powerful, full of micro-expressions and incredible tone. The small cast of only eight deserves high praise, and the production was very well executed. It is rare to be this immersed in theatre, to forget that you are really watching people act.

Jeremy Allen’s set is minimal yet symbolically rich with a curved timber floor, fire pits glowing beneath the stage, a functioning water well, and sparse natural elements, all of which elevate the rural Australian landscape. The use of shifting props allows for seamless transitions between locations without interrupting the play’s momentum. Lighting (Trent Suidgeest) and sound (Clemence Williams) are minimal but balanced, enhancing the dynamic tensions and the locational environment.

For those who grew up in Australia, you’ll find this play wholly nostalgic and incredibly witty. And for those just visiting, it’s a creative introduction to the Australian culture.

Whether it be a line, character, or scene, this play will find ways of resonating with you. It reminds us that even parents who don’t see eye to eye can find unity in love for their child; that no one is too strong or too old to cry, and that our children can often be our greatest teachers.

But be warned, you’re sure to be singing “Aeroplane Jelly” for the rest of the week!

Beautifully written and brilliantly acted - “The Shiralee” is running at the Sydney Opera House until 29 November.