For those who haven’t seen or read it, tell us what The Glass Menagerie is all about?
Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie is loosely based on his own life. Living in a cramped St. Louis apartment during the 1930s, Tom is torn between longing for freedom and obligations to his sister, Laura, and their mother, Amanda.
The play beautifully captures how fears and obstacles in our lives can make us feel trapped, the dysfunctions of family, and how a yearning to say things to each other can be trampled by shame. It’s tragic, but intertwined with moments of joy, and hope. While it is set in a specific time and place, Williams’ depth of emotion continues to resonate with new audiences.
How are rehearsals going?
We’ve just started rehearsals and the cast and crew are getting to know each other! It’s always like the first day of school, coming together to work on a text for a concentrated amount of time is so special.
Rehearsals can be intense, but also joyful, and it’s always wonderful to be part of a bigger machine coming together. Each member of the cast, creative team, and crew all work to put it together bit by bit to create the final product – that’s the magic for me!
Are you able to paint a picture for us with sets, costumes?
The set and costumes have been designed by Mark Thompson, and he has a wonderful vision for the show. I don’t want to give too much away, but the design is classic, but with a twist, and it’s a dreamscape, so not everything is as it seems.
Tell us about playing Laura – what is she like and how has this role challenged you?
Laura is an iconic character – lots of amazing actors have played her, she’s been studied, and there is plenty of material about what she symbolises. She is also a representation of Tennessee Williams’ own sister, and her tragic treatment as a woman living with schizophrenia. So, I feel a great deal of responsibility, as well as excitement playing her. Laura is incredibly emotionally intelligent, and she finds joy in places others might not find it. She is battling against how her mother and her brother see her, how society sees her as ‘peculiar’, and finding what she wants for herself.
What do you love about this role?
What I love about acting is how each project I’ve been part of has been so different, and I love adapting and jumping into new things. The last few shows I’ve been part of, I’ve jumped in and out of multiple characters (which is so much fun!), but with this play, I have the joy of investing all my time into Laura and her world. It’s so rich and full and wonderful to play!
What have you learnt through working with director Shannon Rush?
Shannon Rush is a fabulous director who I’ve had the pleasure of working with on a few projects now (including Welcome To Your New Life for State Theatre Company South Australia in 2023). She has such a wonderful way of bringing people together and finding their best elements to create a coherent team. Shannon is a great role model for me as a woman in the arts industry. She’s collaborative and dynamic, and it’s easy to make great work when she’s running the room.
Shannon’s also an absolute hoot and we have a lot of fun and laughs in the rehearsal room, which is incredibly important, particularly for when the themes of the play can get heavy.
What will audiences come away with after seeing The Glass Menagerie?
It’s hard to know how audiences will feel – but I hope they become attached to the characters and make connections to their lives and the people they love.
Classic works are interesting, because some audience members are so familiar with the story, and others not at all. So to those who are already fans, I hope they’ll see the care we’ve taken investing in the humanity of the characters and the story, and for new audiences, I hope they’ll be whisked away to a world, not unlike their own, and captivated by a story that explores what binds a family together and what might break it.
Why is this such a timeless work?
The Glass Menagerie, at its heart, is about hope, lost dreams, and regrets. I think what makes it timeless is how it so delicately paints human connection – the things we do and don’t say to each other, and the things we do for the people we love.
What next for you?
This year has been busy, touring with The Dictionary of Lost Words, as well as The Glass Menagerie, and next year I’ve got nothing creative set in stone. The artist life is different every year, and so riding the wave is all part of the journey!
I’m wanting to use some of my time to work on some personal projects in 2026 – there’s a cabaret in my head that I’ve always wanted to write.
The Glass Menagerie is on at the Odeon Theatre in Norwood from November 15 to December 7. Visit statetheatrecompany.com.au for more details.