OBSERVER: Timon of Athens
This production is not your regular render of Shakespeare’s 1606 work as Director Kevin Hopkins, a well credentialed Shakespearian actor and Director for over 60 productions in 30 years has put his own style to the work, having developed it as part of the Prague Shakespeare Company’s 2025 Summer Shakespeare intensive program.
Despite the theory that Shakespeare did not write all the work, with Thomas Middleton, an English playwright being credited for writing about a third of the play, mostly central scenes, historians still consider it a work by Shakespeare, yet debating on the collaboration between the two.
Timon is a wealthy and a lavish host while being a giver of his money to his ‘friends’. In doing so he goes bankrupt and needs the support of his so called ‘friends’ who deliberately turn away from him causing him to abandon Athens and living in poverty before his death.
Director Hopkins assembled a mix of local and international actors while changing the gender of key roles in what would traditionally been male. Such as that of Timon, being played by Jovanna Hepburn, who calls the Bahamas her home. Having played the role previously and while the masculinity wasn’t there, she did give us a dominant performance, at times compelling, brutal, yet moving.
With an ensemble of 11, there were several other standout performances. James Cerche as Apemantus, a vulgar philosopher, despising society, who warns Timon of his ingratiating “friends” while Scott Jackson as Lucius, an Athenian Lord added flare and exuberance to the role while accepting Timon’s gifts yet refusing his support when it was most needed.
Capturing the role of Timon’s loyal Steward was Helen Hopkins as Flavius who certainly commanded the stage with her appearances. A very captivating performance. Support also was given by Alcibiades an Athenian Military Captain loyal to Timon played strongly with undiminishing certitude by Nick Crawford Smith.
Theatre Works provided us with modern day interpretation of the work through Director Hopkins and Co-Director Claire Nicholls, with minimalist staging and props while some of the remaining actors were not so dominant.
Until November 7 at Theatre Works, St Kilda.
Review by Graeme McCoubrie