Journey's End **** 1/2

‘Journeys End’ opens in darkness, closed curtains with reflective music and sound effects which leave the audience to imagine the happenings of World War I. Lights up, the curtain opens and we are startled with the outstanding, intricate and wonderful attention to detail of a World War I bunker which looked as though it has actually been airlifted from an old war site and placed on the Goldfield Repertory stage. Hats off to Director Kevin Blair, who has gone to all extents to create the ultimate reality of this World War epic for the theatre. Having the challenge of casting an ensemble of 11 men in regional WA, with the majority having never acted before and then having them deliver a credible piece of theatre was amazing. The actors worked extremely well together and the chemistry between the actors was wonderful to see with such inexperienced actors. The admirable David Hole played a wonderful arrogant Stanhope who was very believable for a first time actor and he was supported by the hearty Brett Thomas as Lieutenant Osborne who convincingly held the fort and the play. But it was Shannon Robertson playing the young Lieutenant Raleigh who stole the show. For such a young actor he was so believable and the truth in his character was so convincing. Technically it was very hard to fault this play, from costumes, props, lightning and sound and the tremendous ending when this amazing set is bombarded with some awesome special effects. But it was in the Finale of which, the built up feelings of this emotional play felt the hearts of the audience, with a beautiful tableau in low blue light of the soldiers of ‘Journeys End’ which bought a tear to our eyes. Congratulations Goldfields. (I feel this a lesson to Perth Directors out there. The importance of spreading the word of amateur theatre to all men out there… how much fun and rewarding the theatre can be. That’s how Kev got his men)