REVIEW: Brisbane

Staged in its namesake city, Matthew Ryan’s Brisbane feels perfectly at home at Ad Astra’s Galaxy Theatre. Rich in local texture and wry humour, fourteen‑year‑old Danny Fisher’s story gains added resonance as his once‑familiar hometown is transformed into an American military headquarters under General Douglas MacArthur.  

From the moment you step into the Ad Astra courtyard, you are effortlessly transported back to 1942, a city poised on the brink of dramatic change. Soldiers twirl partners through the Lindy Hop as mid‑century melodies, such as Ella Fitzgerald’s Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home, drift through the space.  

Originally staged in 2015, Brisbane reads like a time capsule, and its period‑specific language is a firm and unapologetic choice. While this anchors the work in the anxieties and immediate threats of wartime Australia, the language is often confronting and abrasive, a choice that carries clear risk. Staging this sprawling, two‑hour work with just ten actors at such an intense pace is no easy feat, yet the cast and creative team rise to the challenge with confidence and clarity.  

Bailey Sprecak anchors the production with a confident and assured performance as Danny Fisher, steering both the narrative and its emotional beats with clarity. Sprecak renders Danny’s wide‑eyed optimism and fragile hope with poignancy, letting the innocence of youth crash head‑on into the fear and uncertainty of a world at war.  

The ensemble demonstrates a high level of commitment, strong comedic precision and authenticity throughout the production. Aimee Duroux’s portrayal of Patty stands out in particular, brimming with cheeky confidence and brash wit, and effortlessly commanding attention whenever she steps on stage. Her relationship with Danny, built on shared mischief and trust, reminds us that even in times of upheaval, children still find ways to laugh, conspire and connect.  

Fiona Kennedy directs with a clear sense of momentum, making confident use of the space while keeping the pace brisk but controlled. The production rarely stands still, with time pressing forward and innocence gradually slipping away in a way that mirrors the emotional arc of the story.  

Serving as assistant director while also designing the set, projections, a collection of retro wigs and the momentous Kittyhawk jet, Stacie Hobbs juggled multiple roles with impressive skill, delivering a cohesive and highly polished design across the production.  

Having seen several Ad Astra productions, I am consistently impressed by the specificity and quality of their set design, and Hobbs’ work here is no exception. A deconstructed Queenslander fills the traditional Galaxy stage with character and history. Layered with DIY home renovations, family keepsakes and hidden passageways, Hobbs creates a familiar space that feels genuinely lived‑in, shaped by memory and time. At its centre stands a striking tree that quietly marks the passing of seasons, standing bare through the colder months before blooming into the iconic purple jacaranda in spring. This gentle visual motif grounds the audience in the rhythms of Brisbane life, even as the world, both within the home and beyond the front door, begins to fracture.  

This sense of time and place is further reinforced by Georgina Purdie’s historically accurate costume design, with each costume playing a vital role in supporting the narrative and firmly situating the production within its era.  

Geoff Squires’ lighting design, paired with Tommi Civili’s sound design, works in strong partnership to shape and drive the production’s emotional landscape. While visibility was briefly compromised during moments when actors moved through the audience, this minor flaw does little to diminish the overall impact.  

There is something eerily resonant about watching Brisbane unfold at Ad Astra in 2026. Fast‑paced, inventive and emotionally rich, the work honours the city’s past while quietly questioning our present, making it a must‑see. Running until 11 April, Brisbane is an essential viewing for locals, and for visitors, an evocative introduction to this small but deeply storied corner of the world.

Check out Brisbane now at Ad Astra Galaxy now until 11th April.

4 out of 5 Stars