As Sydney’s theatre season is moving into its quieter winter period as school holidays loom, Ensemble Theatre is still going strong, moving into its alternating portion of the season with the Australian premiere The Roommate as one of their productions, which is definitely an intriguing choice. In some ways it is a very typical Ensemble play, with a small cast and a heavy focus on character and relationships but in other ways it feels very modern, tackling subject matter and a style of humour that Ensemble rarely embraces so directly.

In the play, Sharon (Lucy Bell) invites Robyn (Belinda Bromilow) to live with her after her divorce and quickly becomes entranced by the New Yorker’s way of life, from smoking drugs and her carefree attitude to stories of her criminality. Robyn is the absolute antithesis of Sharon but it is clear that Sharon, who was abandoned by her husband and is increasingly disconnected from her son, is searching for an outlet and finds one in her new roommate. As the two women grow closer, their desires begin to clash, with Sharon longing for the freedom Robyn represents while Robyn is trying to escape the very life Sharon romanticises, with one pivotal moment ultimately bringing the tension to the fore.

This is a play driven almost entirely by its two lead actors, and both Bell and Bromilow are exceptional in this regard. Bell conveys Sharon’s journey of self-discovery with real weight and a wonderful emotional arc, taking the audience along for her transformation while Bromilow brings charisma, swagger and unpredictability to Robyn, with a real magnetic presence and energy. The pair feed off each other beautifully, shifting effortlessly between sharp comedy and genuinely painful moments, with only the occasional minor accent slip interrupting what is otherwise a very well sustained performance.

The script is equally impressive in the way it balances outright humour with its more serious subject matter. There are plenty of one-liners but there is also an edge with the themes of loneliness and ageing explored quite deftly. In this vein, the play does well to avoid lingering on the classic trope of a romantic relationship for too long which means that the themes have more meaning and poignancy when they do come up. At under two hours, the production feels tight and consistently engaging, with the audience kept on its toes throughout, with the emotional final scene landing particularly well, capping what is ultimately a funny yet unexpectedly heartfelt evening. Set and costume designer Simone Romaniuk has created a space that feels perfectly suited to Ensemble Theatre’s intimate stage, while Matt Cox’s lighting design and Madeleine Picard’s sound design quietly support the shifting tension of the piece without drawing attention away from the performances, once again highlighting the continued strength and cohesiveness of Ensemble productions. 

Overall, this is an excellent production that showcases many of Ensemble Theatre’s strengths while also pushing the company into fresher territory. With outstanding performances from its main actors and a compelling balance of humour and emotional depth through the well-constructed script, this was a thoroughly engaging watch and one of the highlights of this year’s theatre calendar so far. 

Rating: ★★★★1/2

The Roommate plays at the Ensemble Theatre until 25 July 2026. For more information, click here. 

All photo credits: Brett Boardman