Jack Maggs ~ State Theatre Company ~ Theatre Review | The Clothesline

[Theatre – SA]

Jack Maggs – State Theatre Company
Dunstan Playhouse
Tue 19 Nov, 2025

Jack Maggs returns to England about fifty years after the British first established an offshore penal colony in Australia to ease the burden on their overcrowded prisons. It is also the time the first tents were erected in South Australia on the plains of the Kaurna people, bringing a new breed of settlers. Like Jack Maggs, they too saw this new land simply as an outpost of Britain, the real heart of civilization, their true home. It is this nostalgic longing for the motherland that gave Jack the will to survive the horrors of the convict encampment, along with a promise to himself that became a driving passion, to find a man he has nurtured with his kindness.

An excellent ensemble expertly brings the play to life, brimming with colourful characters. All the actors give equally splendid performances, with some taking on several parts in true ensemble style. From time to time they form a chorus to comment on and further the action, utilizing songs and melodies from the period. South Australian playwright Samuel Adamson stays fully faithful to Peter Carey’s writing, crafting a crisp series of scenes that flow smoothly as Jack navigates the many intrigues and barriers that forestall his quest. There are plot twists aplenty to keep track of, and Jack’s wicked blade flashes as often as the surprises keep coming. The lower class maid as narrator turns out to be much more than we take her for. Scene changes are swiftly accomplished by a clever set design. Rather than elaborate decoration, rooms are quickly conjured with minimal effort yet with exquisite attention to detail.

There is lots of story to tell, and too little time to show it all. What comes through constantly is Jack Maggs’ obsession with his connection to his past. Long after Jack returned to Australia, people here would still read letters from Britain around the dinner table with friends and family. They named the valleys and towns after those they left behind, so they could imagine they were walking down Piccadilly. The vestige of this bond prevents Australia throwing off the shackles and becoming independent. Only today, two hundred and fifty years since colonisation began, are we just beginning to tell the tales we sorely need to share – our own Australian stories.

And what better place to start than at the beginning. Perhaps Peter Carey and Samuel Adamson are asking us to consider some deeper issues? The British Empire may have waned, yet we are now besotted with and beholden to an American Empire. Do we really need such a protective parental figure? Or are we willing to endure the pain of birthing a nation, the discomfort of growth, and take on the responsibilities of freedom? In olden days they spoke of saving souls.

Perhaps today Peter Carey is more concerned with being a surgeon of our Australian psyche.

4.5 stars

David Cronin

Jack Maggs continues at The Dunstan Playhouse at various times until Sat Nov 30. Click HERE to purchase tickets.

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[Theatre - SA] Jack Maggs - State Theatre Company Dunstan Playhouse Tue 19 Nov, 2025 Jack Maggs returns to England about fifty years after the British first established an offshore penal colony in Australia to ease the burden on their overcrowded prisons. It is also the time the first tents were erected in South Australia on the plains of the Kaurna people, bringing a new breed of settlers. Like Jack Maggs, they too saw this new land simply as an outpost of Britain, the real heart of civilization, their true home. It is this nostalgic longing for the motherland that gave Jack the will to survive the horrors of the convict encampment, along with a promise to himself that became a driving passion, to find a man he has nurtured with his kindness. An excellent ensemble expertly brings the play to life, brimming with colourful characters. All the actors give equally splendid performances, with some taking on several parts in true ensemble style. From time to time they form a chorus to comment on and further the action, utilizing songs and melodies from the period. South Australian playwright Samuel Adamson stays fully faithful to Peter Carey’s writing, crafting a crisp series of scenes that flow smoothly as Jack navigates the many intrigues and barriers that forestall his quest. There are plot twists aplenty to keep track of, and Jack’s wicked blade flashes as often as the surprises keep coming. The lower class maid as narrator turns out to be much more than we take her for. Scene changes are swiftly accomplished by a clever set design. Rather than elaborate decoration, rooms are quickly conjured with minimal effort yet with exquisite attention to detail. There is lots of story to tell, and too little time to show it all. What comes through constantly is Jack Maggs’ obsession with his connection to his past. Long after Jack returned to Australia, people here would still read letters from Britain around the dinner table with friends and family. They named the valleys and towns after those they left behind, so they could imagine they were walking down Piccadilly. The vestige of this bond prevents Australia throwing off the shackles and becoming independent. Only today, two hundred and fifty years since colonisation began, are we just beginning to tell the tales we sorely need to share – our own Australian stories. And what better place to start than at the beginning. Perhaps Peter Carey and Samuel Adamson are asking us to consider some deeper issues? The British Empire may have waned, yet we are now besotted with and beholden to an American Empire. Do we really need such a protective parental figure? Or are we willing to endure the pain of birthing a nation, the discomfort of growth, and take on the responsibilities of freedom? In olden days they spoke of saving souls. Perhaps today Peter Carey is more concerned with being a surgeon of our Australian psyche. 4.5 stars David Cronin Jack Maggs continues…

The Clothesline Rating

David Cronin

An excellent ensemble expertly brings the play to life - brimming with colourful characters.

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