David Williamson's "Travelling North" was the last of his run of plays of the 1970s - a decade that began with the one-two punch of "The Removalists" and "Don's Party" in 1971 and which had shown him go on to be an essential part of the Australian playwriting firmament, as well as developing a reputation as a screenwriter. It's based on the story of the mother of his second wife, Kristen, who entered into a relationship with an ex-communist and moved to the central coast of NSW, away from her adult children. It's a tale of late-in-life love, an escape from winter into a lush rich world of abundance, and gives Williamson the chance to look at two characters near the end of their lives, looking back at their past and finding a path ahead together.
Leading the cast is Daniell Spiller as Frances, a woman discovering her inner adventurer and dealing with the frustrations when their journey north stops somewhere around Tweed Heads when her partner's health begins to delay him - she's an active participant in the relationship and a warm protagonist. Alongside her is Pat Gallagher as Frank, cantankerous, opinionated but realising as his time gets closer that his past has occasionally rubbed other people the wrong way. Matilda Millar-Carlton is a force of nature as Frances' uptight daughter Helen, taking affront at everything from her mother to her in-laws to her frayed relationship with her husband. As the academic daughter, Sophie, Margeux-Arundell Williams plays a character with her own academic snobbery but willing to fight back against her sister. Stephanie van Lishout as Frank's daughter Joan gives us an understanding of who Frank has previously been and whata past with him has been like. Steven Kennedy as the neighbour Freddy is a charming delight as someone who differs with Frank in may ways but displays all the good nature of neigbourliness. Adrian Breen as Frank's doctor Saul enjoys the challenges of a difficult, challenging patient with warmth and humour. Kumar Kartikey Gupta and Grace Cassidy make the most of small cameo roles in various roles of officialdom.
Cate Clelland directs and designs using a three-layered set to represent the three worlds of the play (Melbourne, Sydney and Tweed Heads), with a mural of tropical abundance at the back. Claire Middleton and Darcy Abrahams dress the cast in a mix of tropical comfort and melbourne late 60s/early 70s fashion, setting the period well. Nev Pye's sound design mixes classical style for the transition and tropical sounds for the scenes in elegant style. Craig Mueller's lighting design sets out spaces for the characters to work well.
This is Williamson in a slightly reflective mode, given a production that is perhaps a little classical-and-stately in manner, but which still hits with some great comedy and some heart-felt moments. It's a rare case of Williamson writing about a generation before his own, and understanding them well, both their struggles and their successes. And it's a fine production of a classic play.
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