Emerald City Review at Ensemble Theatre
- Ashlyn Hunter
- Jul 25
- 2 min read
How does artistic integrity wrestle with the lure of a premium harbour view? In David Williamson’s Emerald City, screenwriter ‘Colin’ grapples with the true cost of “making it” as he and his family swap grid-city Melbourne for life as Sydney-siders.
The theatre on opening night is always bustling with electricity and Mark Kilmurry’s production delivered with the same heat. He paces the piece deliberately: the first half unfolds a little tentatively, with comedic beats occasionally missing their mark, but gains momentum as the stakes rise and the character arcs progress and entangle more deeply. By the second act, tension sharpens into something cunning and cutthroat— a fitting mirror of the film and production world unfolding before the audience.
Williamson weaves a powerful commentary on the clash between artistic principle and commercial compromise. In real time, we see characters lament their own hypocrisy as they rail against the “sell-out” urge even while chasing success. This theme courses through the play, riding high on sharp character development and the rise–and–fall of each psyche in pursuit of fulfilment.
Each actor gave their all on stage, and watching their dynamics change and flit so temporarily was intriguing to witness. Rachel Gordon especially commands the second half, brilliantly conveying a partner’s reflection of success (and jealousy) within her marriage. The tug-of-war between domestic tension and professional aspiration is palpable in every scene she and Tom O’Sullivan inhabit.
At its core, Emerald City is the story of success as an ever-shifting current beneath these character’s actions. We watch pillars of confidence crumble and new ambitions take their place as the Sydney air thickens their desires for more. Each arc is a marvel: all characters fundamentally flawed and at (many) times unlikable. It’s never enough for the characters; peace or gratitude never seems attainable.
I adore a piece that pulls up a shiny mirror and makes me reflect on my own life. As a lifelong Sydney-sider, this play hit home. It made me question my own definitions of success-whether it’s the obsession with a harbour view, the race for private schools, or the relentless hunger for “more”. Remarkably, a story rooted in the 1980s film industry still resonates so keenly in 2025. Proof that Williamson’s commentary on art, commerce, and the human condition remains as fresh as ever. Reminding you how quickly the tides can turn in a city that can prize ambition above integrity.
Emerald City probes the eternal conflict between staying true to one’s art and yielding to the seductive promise of prosperity. It may stumble in places, but its razor-sharp second half and compelling performances more than make up for it. Highly recommended for anyone who’s ever asked themselves: “What am I willing to sacrifice for success?”. You’ll definitely find your answer here.
