Do Not Go Gentle Review: Award-Winning Play Makes Brisbane Debut

Queensland Theatre's production of Patricia Cornelius's award-winning play 'Do Not Go Gentle' opened at the Bille Brown Theatre in Brisbane, running until 30 August. The play, which previously won the NSW and Victorian Premier's Literary Awards and was well-received in Melbourne and Sydney, explores ageing and dementia through the metaphor of Robert Scott's ill-fated 1911 South Pole expedition. Directed by Heather Fairbairn, the production features a minimalist set by Simone Romaniuk, with sound design by Julian Starr and lighting by David Walters. The cast includes William Zappa as Scott, Jennifer Flowers as Wilson/Mary, Bruce Spence as Oates/Titus, Steven Grives as Evans/Taffy, Christen O'Leary as Bowers/Birdie/Claudia, Marilyn Richardson as Maria, and Andrew Buchanan in multiple roles. The review notes that while the Antarctic imagery and performances are strong, the production felt under-rehearsed on opening night, with some interior scenes failing to engage. The play is a complex, multi-layered work that offers a poignant look at courage and dignity in the face of decline.