The Moon's Awake by Townsville Little Theatre - NAFA 2025
- thesneeview
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
In a festival season brimming with touring acts, The Moon’s Awake stands tall as a proud showcase of North Queensland’s local talent. Townsville Little Theatre’s latest production is penned by Catherine McKernan Doris and inspired by her father’s experiences during Ireland’s civil rights movement commencing in 1969, coinciding with the moon landing. This is a stirring and multilayered narrative that delves deep into the human experience amid political unrest.
Director Katherine Shield and her creative team have assembled a formidable cast of local performers who breathe life into McKernan Doris’ script with authenticity and heart. The story explores the ripple effects of external conflict on a tight-knit community, weaving themes of friendship, loyalty, and division with palpable tension and moments of hope. Humour is deftly woven throughout, offering welcome respite from the heavier themes to balance the emotional material in the script.
McKernan Doris herself takes centre stage as Joyce, the play’s emotional anchor. Her portrayal is layered and compelling, capturing the many roles Joyce inhabits: mother, soon-to-be grandmother, neighbour, peacemaker, and moral compass. Opposite her, David Walpole Sinnamon delivers a standout performance as Jim, Joyce’s husband, whose grounded warmth and pragmatism make him one of the production’s most relatable characters.
Mackenzie Hinnrichs brings youthful energy and sass as Sheila, Joyce and Jim’s pregnant daughter, and certainly not immune to the Troubles. Her off-stage quips provide some of the play’s most delightful comedic relief, despite the gravity of her situation.
Richard Price’s Bernard is a slow-burning revelation; his emotional unravelling and buried secrets offer a powerful arc that resonates long after curtain call. Through Bernard, we get to experience the full rollercoaster of human emotions, especially as his trauma becomes more visible.
Kellie Esling is commanding as Dolores, the elderly traditionalist whose declining health and internal struggles add depth to the play’s emotional landscape. Her scenes, particularly those reflecting on the moon landing, offer poignant insight into generational perspectives and the symbolism that threads through the narrative.
Tenille McDermott’s Laura is the kind of friend everyone wishes they had: warm, honest, and emotionally grounded. Her vulnerability adds a gentle counterbalance to the surrounding tension.
Glenn Shield and his team’s set design is a triumph, creating immersive and realistic environments with seamless transitions. Shield also appears onstage as Brian, a Protestant caught in the crossfire of community tensions. His scenes with Jim and Bernard, whether light-hearted or confrontational, are among the production’s most engaging.
The Astronaut, portrayed alternately by Paige Knight and Torben Westkamp, is a curious and symbolic presence, one that invites interpretation and adds a surreal layer to the otherwise grounded story.
The Celtic-infused soundtrack from The Barleyshakes enriches the atmosphere, while Ange Williams’ costume design evokes the late 1960s with flair, particularly in the women’s wardrobe.
While the preview night saw a few minor technical hiccups and line prompts, these are easily forgivable and expected in early performances. The Irish accents, no small feat given the dialogue-heavy nature of the play, are commendably handled and will no doubt sharpen further as the season progresses.
With opening night on October 1, The Moon’s Awake promises to be a conversation starter and a testament to the exceptional talent thriving in Townsville. This is a production that deserves to be seen and celebrated.
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