ACT Reviews 2022-2023 Season

Bryn Austin, as love rival Don Price, Georgina Brooksbank’s raunchy witch, Matt Austin as the friendly giant Karl, Michael Shneck’s howling wolf ringmaster, and not forgetting Bloom’s first love, the teenage Jenny Hill played by Grace Dougall. The show opens at Bloom’s son Will’s wedding to Josephine (Jennifer Haney) where we witness the tensions between father and son. Scott Heath successfully brought out Will’s longing to know the man behind the stories he regaled his son with. As the younger Will Billy Clarke gave his all thus creating a credible character. There is an emotional subtext of love and the pain of Edward’s terminal illness that has to be carried by Sandra Bloom. Aimee Clare touchingly and movingly played Sandra. She gave a heart wrenching rendition of “I Don’t Need a Roof ”. The central love story was gently captured. Absentee husband and father Alabama’s “Billy Liar”, Edward Bloom, was charismatically portrayed by Joe Clarke. This role is usually played by two actors, the younger and the older. Joe took on both roles with plenty of mischief for the teenager, and charm as the much loved story telling travelling salesman. Joe also managed to give a glimpse of the real Edward behind those stories in the duet with Sandra, “Time Stops”. We believe the Southern man when he says, “Be a Hero of Your Own Story”. “Big fish” is a real catch. At the finale the audience stood in recognition of their theatre experience.