Poignant, sad, humorous: Love Letters by A.R. Gurney
- STAGED Theatre Co
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
Staged Theatre held an intimate preview night for Love Letters this past Wednesday. The reviews are in, and this production has sparked thoughtful conversations about love, memory, and the passage of time.
Simon Denver's Review of Love Letters
Simon Denver, founder of SRT Inc. was one of the attendees at our Wednesday night preview of this heartwrenching play. Have a read of what he had to say about Love Letters!
Two people in a gentle ambient light sit behind two desks. From these positions they usher you around the world and back again as they gently map the human heart. No whizz-bang production techniques, flashing lights, theatrical bells and whistles or smoke and mirrors – just the human voice. The result is a stunning piece of incredibly natural theatre.
“Love Letters” follows 50 years of correspondence between two childhood friends (Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III). Their loves and losses, trials and tribulations, hopes and dreams, and failures and foibles are all presented in a gentle but very real way.
Poignant, sad, humorous, whimsical, real, dreamy and sometimes, even, flippant. Everything doesn’t collide – everything effortlessly weaves into itself.
Director Nick Smith’s main masterstroke was keeping it all simple and natural. He managed to rein in the melodrama and prevent any over-acting that could have wrecked this show, and instead kept it “low key” and, therefore, real.
The cast (Lisa Blair, Sean McDermott, Nick Smith and Peta Beattie) breathe a rich, layered life into an already stunning and exquisite script. This is theatre at its very, very best. The cast paints so many pictures for your mind. They give us portraits of people we never see, landscapes of the changing times and cartoons of the absurdities of life. This is a wonderful example of their craft.
This production deserves the full support of the Coast and the coastal theatre fraternity. I would hate to see it fly under the radar.
The world that has gone quite mad. There is a maelstrom of despair, and oil and water are certainly not mixing. However – respite is at hand. It is not the antidote, but it does – for a while –remind us that there are still things of great beauty in this geo-political mess we find ourselves in.
And what is this respite? It’s Staged Theatre’s and AR Gurney’s “Love Letters".
Audience Reactions and Emotional Impact
Audience members shared that the production left a lasting impression. Many found themselves moved to tears or deep reflection. The intimate setting of the theatre enhanced this effect, creating a shared space where emotions could be felt openly.
Catherine O'Neill, another prominent figurehead in the Sunny Coast Theatre Community wrote:
I had the privilege of being at the preview last night and this really is a mesmerizing piece of theatre. This established independent theatre company is setting the bar very high, undertaking a variety of contemporary productions.
The future of Staged is looking very bright and it is now that we all must try to support local theatre.
Additionally, The Black Box Theatre in Nambour really is the perfect venue for theatre. I am certain you will enjoy this production!
Why This Production Stands Out
Several factors make this staging of Love Letters noteworthy:
Authentic performances that capture the emotional depth of the characters
Minimalist design that highlights the power of the written word
Thoughtful pacing that allows audiences to connect with the story’s themes
Emotional honesty that invites reflection on personal experiences.
Final Thoughts from the Director
This production is defined by its small and intimate production values, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the power of voice, emotion and story - the web is weaved and, as you sink in to this world created by the writer's exquisite words, you feel like it is being created for you, and you alone. This is perfect example of "less is more" and the huge benefits it brings to the audience.
Love Letters is a play that is sure to stay with you long after the lights go down.
Tickets are available here. We would love to see you there.
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