Review

VERONICA’S ROOM

Eltham Little Theatre

Published on September 7, 2024
By Deb Campbell

Eltham Performing Arts Centre
06 Sep – 21 Sep
More Info

Well worth a 40min drive to Eltham from where I live, this theatre must be a local secret from the rest of us as I had not been before nor heard of it. Something very different to most, they have tables where you can bring your own food and enjoy the show with a platform view – how fantastic for a night out with friends.

A typical 1930s room sets the stage in front of us, ‘Veronica’s Room’ in fact, but who exactly is Veronica anyway… perhaps she is actually living in the 70s… or perhaps not … trick of the mind, the situation or something more suspenseful?

Playing the youngest character comes completely naturally to Briana Collier. What an A-list actress and she even showed us she has a beautiful singing voice to add to her repertoire. A fan of the horror genre, this must have been a dream role for her and she is flawless in it.

Equally talented, a young man played by Joshua Massarotti (whose favourite movie is fittingly Texas Chainsaw Massacre) put realism into every action and tone of voice for his character who you will slowly learn is much more than meets the eye at first. Watching him change persona was very entertaining.

The woman’s script of solid dialogue with twists and turns has Susie Sparkes and her talent for acting (found only in her 50s) stealing the show in many parts right ‘til the very end and you simply won’t believe this lady hasn’t acted all her life! BRAVO

Kindly gentleman turned sour was freakishly good by George Benca. With over 30 years experience in community theatre, I’m guessing the people behind me knew him and loved his quirky mannerisms, but he took us all from giggling to being downright scared.

If you love a “whodunnit” or you like to try and figure out “what’s really going on”, you need to stop reading this and get a ticket for this play that you’ll never ever forget!!

This written work by Ira Levin is unpredictable to say the least and just wait for that “ahhhh” from the entire astonished audience, yep you’ll never guess …. but give yourself the ultimate challenge in a mind workout and go try to read forward into this story.

It will finish with a chilling shiver for you!

Congrats to Director Drew Mason and his team, you certainly gave us something to talk about on the long drive home.

THEATRE: ‘Veronica’s Room’ is playing at Eltham Little Theatre 6-21 Sept. 2024. The venue is at 1605 Main Road, Research and easy to find and park. Ticket price is very reasonable, programs are provided and there is a canteen and bar for a snack / drink pre-show and at interval if you don’t manage to book one of the great BYO tables at the back.

NOTE: There are some disturbing themes and I would say that ‘Veronica’s Room’ is definitely NOT suitable for children or young teens.

Deb Campbell

Debra is enjoying returning to the art of 'writing' after a couple of decades off, but she has never had even a day off appreciating 'performing arts' . Having grown up herself as a dancer, then competing and travelling with her husband around the world, and now with her adult children both involved in dance and theatre, she has never ceased to be amazed at the full scale of what it takes to put any show on a stage. "Whatever the circumstances, the show must go on, but not before we look after everyone involved to make that happen because it is hard work!" The Arts is a lifeblood for so many and can give great rewards to those in support both on the stage and off. Debra loves to give praise and recognize the effort she knows is behind each and every aspect you see from the audience. She writes as she sees it, enjoys it and hopes you will find her reviews easy to read and intriguing enough to consider taking a further look at the production.