The Last Audition theatre review: A lifetime of memories
Paul Shearman’s intimate solo performance blends Shakespeare with a deeply human story of fading memory
There is something quietly powerful about a stage held by just one performer and a lifetime of memories. The Last Audition, written and performed by Paul Shearman, opens with a once-celebrated Shakespearean actor returning to an empty stage to rehearse King Lear. At first, it appears to be simply preparation for an audition but it gradually becomes clear that this rehearsal is far more personal. As the actor works through Shakespeare’s words, memories slip in and out, past voices surface and the line between performance and reality begins to blur.
Shearman delivers a thoughtful and emotionally-layered performance, exploring the early stages of dementia with sensitivity and honesty, capturing both the humour and heartbreak that come with fading memory. Shakespeare’s language runs throughout, grounding the character in the literary world that shaped his life while highlighting his struggle to hold onto identity, independence and a sense of worth. One moment the audience laughs at a theatrical flourish or witty aside; the next, the room grows still as the character confronts the unsettling realisation that something within him is changing.
What makes The Last Audition particularly moving is its emotional authenticity. Shearman draws the audience in from the first line and sustains that connection through a performance that feels intimate and deeply human. When the character reflects that ‘memory is a shy animal; if you stand still it might creep up on you’, it lingers long after the lights fade. This is a poignant piece of theatre about ageing, legacy and the courage to keep stepping into the light.
The Last Audition continues at the Garage International at Adelaide Town Hall until March 14 and then continues at the Royalty Theatre until March 22.