Gia Ophelia is a hilariously witty and deeply emotive story about the struggles and hope of an artistic future and the reality of the many ways that life gets in the way.
Gia wants to play Ophelia, again, one more time. This time she knows how. This time she has a better grasp on the Bard. This time she will prove to everyone, and herself, that she can make a real future from her talents. But when bills need to be paid, affection is desired and pressure to please everyone but yourself, takes its toll, Gia finally had to ask herself, “What do you want your love to look like?”
Grace Wilson’s writing is as delightfully whimsical as it is moving – effortlessly bouncing from one pithy quip to another as the rollercoaster of highs and lows unfolds on stage. For a work that could so easily descend into Shakespearean metaphor, Wilson shows great restraint and a masterful ability to focus solely on the complex themes and story that the character of Gia goes through.
Jo Bradley directs the work with an expert eye for detail, maintaining a lighting speed pace while allowing beautiful moments to unfold as if they had just happened “off the cuff”. Even though the vibrancy of the work falls short towards the end, Bradley commits to the script and the desired motifs to allow the audience to follow Gia into the pits of her despair.
Annie Stafford is a revelation – seamlessly navigating Gia’s journey with vulnerability, warm, humour and strength. It is as if each word, each movement, each sideways glance is occurring in real time, right before the audiences eyes. Stafford’s ability to draw in an audience’s focus and hold it in their grasp is a true talent.
In the blink of an eye they swiftly shift from Gia’s charming combination of self assured and self deprecating storytelling to a moment of still and hollow anguish, all at once further grounding the character as Stafford elevates their performance.
Geita Goarin and Jo Bradley’s set design is simple but familiar, in an instant the audience knows the world they have stepped into. Holly Nesbitt’s lighting keeps the work moving and creates a beautiful array of tableaus that silently say more than words ever could.
This return season is criminally short, once again proving the need for the “one and done” attitude towards independent theatre to cease. A production of this calibre should be given every opportunity to amass the following it deserves and showcase the talents of the creative team and richness of the story.
Gia Ophelia
KXT on Broadway, 181 Broadway, Ultimo (Sydney)
Performance: Friday 13 February 2026
Season: 11 – 15 February 2026
Information: www.kingsxtheatre.com
Image: Annie Stafford in Gia Ophelia – photo by Phil Erbacher
Review: Gavin Roach