Reviewed by Janice Bailey
October 2014
Matt Byrne has assembled an excellent cast to create a very enjoyable production of The Breakfast Club, based on John Hughes film. It is always daunting when going to see a play based on one of your all time favourite films. Fortunately I wasn’t disappointed. Russell Ford’s set is simple and very effective. I really liked the use of the screen at the back of the set which introduced the characters and was used throughout to take us beyond the limits of the stage. For me, Jamie Hornsby as Brian was a standout, with notable performances by Kristen Tommasini as Allison and Lachlan Hywood as Andrew in his debut as a stage performer. James King was solid as Bender and while I felt Kacy Ratta’s Claire was somewhat over stylised, her character was believable. Five students from diverse backgrounds meet in Saturday detention at Shermer High School at 8.00. From first appearances they have little in common and know very little about each other. By the afternoon they discover truths about themselves and realize that they are not all that different. John Hughes has given his characters great dialogue and this group haven’t let him down. Well worth the trip to Holden Street.
