Picture: Sam Taylor
Game Theory continues at Forest Theatre at Greenside @ George Street until 22 August 2026.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
“This is the place we’re meant to be,” declaim the lyrics of the opening number, and yes; this is the place to see and hear a fresh, talented young cast breathe life into a marvellous tale of friendship, loyalty and serious crime.
We begin at the end. Lauren Jannetti is excellent as narrator. Something terrible has happened. We’re hooked. Rewind to freshers’ week, a time for too many shots, too much sex (with vegan condoms) and finding your tribe. But the tribe bookish Cass finds sends her down an increasingly slippery slope.
The story is very clear and very well written by Rachel Bellman and Josh Bird. The songs carry the weight of the narrative – it almost feels through-composed. They’re modern pop-rock, with excellent arrangements by the writing team and Tamara Saringer. They’re mostly pretty tuneful, given the genre, and the cast handles them well. Smart lyrics keep the plot and relationships vibrant.
With four strong protagonists in Annemarie Adriana (Cass), Rheanna Arbon (Mia), Jago Cahill-Patten (Tom) and Niklas Salah (Luke), we’re drawn into their emerging relationships and discover the potentially criminal activity at the heart of Tom’s research. Adriana shines – truthful, believable, torn between loyalty to her friends and doing what’s right, with a voice that conveys the emotional upheaval of her dilemma.
The ensemble cast is as busy as the principals, scene changing and shape shifting. Economically directed by Adam Lenson and choreographed by Joe Wolstenholme, they become the myriad crucial characters, supporting and commenting on the action with complex harmonies and fluid movement.
This is the second LAMDA production I’ve seen in this venue this year and each time, there’s been serious issues with sound and mics.
How far would you go for your friends? The Game Theory of the title makes them question their loyalty. Does one positive outcome justify the crime?
You decide.
I’ve decided that this is a super new musical and the spirited cast will do very well when they graduate and venture out into the industry.
Steven Wren
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