A Streetcar Named Desire 2023
| By Tennessee Williams | |
| Genesian Theatre 15th Apr – 7th May 2023 | |
| “Tennessee William’s 1948 Pulitzer Prize winning masterpiece of the clash between unrequited fantasy and the harsh light of gritty existence in the real world.” |  |
| Tom Massey and Meg Girdler and their team have done a fantastic job of crafting the performance with so much care and nuance. 4th Wall Reviews | |
| Directors, Tom Massey and Meg Girdler, did an amazing job. Honi Soit | |
| Genesian Theatre Company has distinguished itself with a fine production, tightly co-directed by Tom Massey and Meg Girdler. Sydney Arts Guide |
Hercule Poirot’s First Case 2022
| Adapted by Jon Jory Based on The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie | |
| Genesian Theatre 21st May – 2nd Jul 2022 | |
| “The brilliant Belgian detective Hercule Poirot makes his unforgettable debut in Jon Jory’s dynamic adaptation of Agatha Christie’s first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles. This new adaptation visits 30 locations in 80 minutes – fast-paced and stylised, this show will be a fun romp as we join Poirot and Hastings on their first adventure together!” |  |
| Tom Massey delivers an engaging, winning production of Jory’s work. Sydney Arts Guide | |
| Eschewing the formalities of theatre realism allowed Massey to amplify the humour of the characters. Night Writes | |
| The script’s fast pace, brought to the fore by some deft work by director Tom Massey. Theatre Red |
William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (Abridged) 2021
| by Austin Tichenor and Reed Martin | |
| Genesian Theatre 16th Jan – 13th Feb 2021 | |
| “A brand new Shakespeare play has been discovered in a carpark in Leicester amidst some unimportant old bones. Written when the Bard was just a spotty 17 year old in Stratford, this thrilling manuscript seems to include the first drafts of all of his later body of work that we are familiar with today, all jumbled together in the one 100 hour play!” |  |
| Director Tom Massey approached this production with the appropriate air of fun and silliness. Night Writes | |
| The completed performance is a compliment to Director Tom Massey. Absolute Theatre |
Sherlock Holmes and the Speckled Band 2018
| by Arthur Conan Doyle Adapted by Max Gee | |
| Genesian Theatre 7th Apr – 12th May 2018 | |
| “A young woman tragically dies under mysterious circumstances on the eve of her wedding. A low whistle, a heavy metallic clang. No reason for her death is ever discovered. Her twin sister is distraught but life must go on and her own wedding is approaching. And then late at night, she hears a low whistle in the dark…” |  |
| Keeps the audience enthralled from start to finish. Sandra Tiltman | |
| I did enjoy Massey’s clever use of the gothic nature of the theatre’s architecture. Sydney Arts Guide |
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) 2015
| by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield | |
| Genesian Theatre 11th Jul – 8th Aug 2015 | |
| Theatre Royal, Hobart 15th Aug 2015 | |
| “The brainchild of The Reduced Shakespeare Company and first performed at the Edinburgh Festival in 1987 this play subsequently transferred to London’s West End where it ran for an amazing nine years! The show is an hilarious tour de force that touches on all of Shakespeare’s work with every single one of the one thousand one hundred twenty-two roles in Shakespeare’s plays performed by just three actors in 97 mins!” |  |
| An unashamedly joyous celebration of the life of William Shakespeare. Arts Hub | |
| Tom Massey guides the action well. Sydney Arts Guide | |
| This is a thoroughly enjoyable show. Whats On Sydney |
The 39 Steps 2011
| Adapted by Patrick Barlow From the novel by John Buchan From the movie of Alfred Hitchcock | |
| Genesian Theatre 14th May – 25th Jun 2011 | |
| “Alfred Hitchcock’s film of John Buchan’s classic adventure novel is brought to life on the Genesian stage in this hilarious spoof from Patrick Barlow. Bored colonial Richard Hannay is thrust into the thrilling world of international espionage when the beautiful Annabella dies in his arms, a knife in her back. Suspected of her murder he flees from the police to the Scottish moors on the track of a vicious gang of spies!” |  |
| Already very funny on opening night, this production can only get even funnier. Stage Whispers | |
| Tightly directed by Tom Massey who also designed a very comprehensive set. Sydney Arts Guide | |
| Delightfully silly and very, very funny. Oz Baby Boomers |
Dead White Males 2010
| by David Williamson | |
| Genesian Theatre 3rd Jul – 7th Aug 2010 | |
| “Opening with a literal depiction of Roland Barthes Death of the Author, Dead White Males positions itself with a bang! as David Williamson’s entry into the debate on literary theory which came to a head in the mid 1990’s. Dead White Males brings us into the life of Angela, a young woman trying to find her place in the world. Her studies at uni open up new intellectual horizons, and the possibility of new relationships. Will Shakespeare or Sartre, Dickens or Derrida, finally claim her heart? This delicious satire of literary theory goes beyond the university walls, bringing us a touching study into three generations of an Australian family, all depicted by Williamson with his usual wisdom and wit.” |  |
Noises Off 2009
| by Michael Frayn | |
| Genesian Theatre 10th Jan – 21st Feb 2009 | |
| “In 1970 Michael Frayn was standing backstage watching a production of his farce Chinamen. “It was funnier from behind than in front and I thought that one day I must write a farce from behind.” commented the playwright. Noises Off is the result of that thought. Dotty Otley is retiring from the stage, and as a last hoorah is touring in a new production of that well known farce Nothing On. The final dress rehearsal doesn’t run entirely to plan, but surely once they get the show on the road all will be well… With a two storey revolving set and a display of both on and off stage shenanigans, Noises Off is sure to entertain.” |  |
| Tom Massey’s production served Frayn’s classic comedy well, and he won good performances from his cast. Sydney Arts Guide |
Assistant Directing
Persuasion 2019
| by Jane Austen Adapted by Tim Luscombe | |
| Directed by Trudy Ritchie | |
| Genesian Theatre 29th Jun – 17th Aug 2019 | |
| “Persuasion is a story of a love diverted. Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth fall deeply in love, and yet their happiness is thwarted when Anne is persuaded by another to decline his offer of marriage. An entire war and 8 years of time separate them, when once again they are reintroduced.” |  |
Charley’s Aunt 2013
| by Brandon Thomas | |
| Directed by Shane Bates | |
| Genesian Theatre 12th Jan – 23rd Feb 2013 | |
| “Jack and Charley, have fallen in love with Kitty and Amy. Charley’s Aunt from Brazil, who he has never met, is due to arrive at Oxford shortly. The boys decide this is a prime opportunity to host a luncheon party as Donna Lucia will be able to act as the girls chaperone.” |  |
The Adventures of a Bear Called Paddington 2011
| by Alfred Bradley & Michael Bond | |
| Directed by Shane Bates | |
| Genesian Theatre 8th Jan – 30th Jan 2011 | |
| “Leaving his Aunt in Peru, Paddington soon finds himself alone at Paddington station (hence his name) with just a suitcase and wearing a tag which says “Please look after this bear. Thank you.” Adopted by Mr and Mrs Brown, Paddington soon turns their life upside down and that of their neighbours Mr Curry and Mr Gruber with his fascination for things most of us just take for granted.” |  |
Dial M for Murder 2008
| by Frederick Knott | |
| Directed by Nanette Frew | |
| Genesian Theatre 16th Aug – 4th Oct 2008 | |
| “This intriguing drama from the pen of noted playwright Frederick Knott involves the cruel entrapment of an innocent wife by a jealous and selfish husband who sees his meal ticket in jeopardy. When international tennis champion Tony Wendice blackmails an old school friend into killing his wife, things do not quite go his way.” |  |
Blithe Spirit 2007
| by Noël Coward | |
| Directed by Rebekah Jennings | |
| Genesian Theatre 3rd Nov – 15th Dec 2007 | |
| “Blithe Spirit, possibly Noël Coward’s most well known, and well loved play, poses the question – how do you get rid of an ex when they are determined to stick around? After a séance is unexpectedly successful Charles Condomine finds himself being haunted by the ghost of his first wife, Elvira.” |  |
The Hollow 2007
| by Agatha Christie | |
| Directed by Paula Bate | |
| Genesian Theatre 7th Jul – 25th Aug 2007 | |
| “A weekend house party at Sir Henry Angkatell’s for just family and close friends… what could possibly go wrong? Of course a murder takes place, but Christie departs from her usual format whereby the detective gathers the suspects together and eliminates them one by one. Instead we get an insight into the cold, calculating mind of a killer.” |  |