Gia Ophelia

Anna Sokolova
Sep 5, 2025
2 min read

Sydney Fringe Festival, Sydney, September 2025

The review

An actress, Gia, is an embodiment of passion for Shakespeare’s work. Her only deep, genuine, vivid dream is to play Ophelia. A floor in her room is covered by books, scattered around her cheap, basic bed. She knows everything about editions,

interpretations, and stage adaptations. Not very successful - a couple of advertisements and a small-budget movie are all her credits. Educated at some screen acting course in TAFE, she works in a cafe to make ends meet, dreaming big, crazily, contagiously about playing the role she sees made for her.

Annie Stafford makes her Gia fervent, living the aspiration like nothing else matters. Constantly referring to her boyfriend's push to start a family, she is placed in a tough spot. Burned by her desire to be on the stage, pressed by time passing by, and by the terrifying controversy of motherhood, Gia has something that makes hearts ache for her. She has bravery. A bold bravery to make a step, and then another one, and again into a path without lit signs for direction. How many people dare to dream? Deeply, laying all at stake? Far not too many. Gia does.

The work these females, the writer, the director, the actress, have created is incredible.

Deep, sad, layered, this is a women's cry from the bottom of the guts. And with that, it is light on its feet, which is impressive considering the weight of the subject.

The real-life tragedy replaces one unplayed, and it is made perfectly.

It is very personal, and it is universal.

See it by yourself. Bring a lot of love but not pity to spare; an actress playing an actress needs it.