Review: ALL MY LOVE A GREAT AUSTRALIAN LOVE STORY at Riverside Theatre's Parramatta

What is it about love that captures the artist so wholly and capitalises so perpetually? Why is it that no two things written about love seem to be the same, or have the same resonance, but every new contribution exists as a thrilling dimension to this emotion seemingly essential to human life? In this tale of lasting love, two of Australia's greatest known writers find themselves in the throes of a relationship never meant to be. All My Love is the true story of Henry Lawson, known as Australia's "greatest short story writer", and radical writer and poetess Mary Gilmore who find a budding relationship in 19th century Sydney. As their secret engagement becomes entangled in a rivalry between their early-feminist mothers, a series of love letters exchanged between them never arrive, and by the time they discover that what was thought to be rejection was nothing more than a cruel twist of fate, it is too late to turn back from their destinies.

Playwright Anne Brooksbank came across this real-life The Notebook while researching Mary Gilmore's memoirs. Her script is a melodic intertwining of each writer's published works, content from the letters themselves that have long outlived their authors, and her own rich imagination of Lawson and Gilmore's converging lives becoming Australian legends. This period piece is directed very cleverly by Denny Lawrence, the action making great use of the space at Riverside Theatres Parramatta to really flesh out Jacob Battista's design. All My Love is lyrical nostalgia and sparkling propriety, giving Brookbank's piece pride of place amongst works described as Austenian.

Bringing the tragic couple to life are two performers strikingly similar in appearance to Lawson and Gilmore themselves. Dion Mills does a sterling job of leading Lawson's hubris from the beginning, and brought a fresh perspective on one of Australia's most regarded men as a gentleman unravelling. His finally oration of 'On the Night Train' is gut-wrenchingly cathartic. Kim Denman's lead as Gilmore, who also narrates the action, is flawless in her delivery; her emotional moments are sincere and rippled through the audience.

Audiences for All My Love should look forward to a step back in time and an insight into life of Australia's pioneer creatives and thinkers, as well as a resonant message of love coming in all forms and the importance of staying true to one's own dreams. Also, the music by Chris Hubbard is exquisite and gave the piece a true sense of place and fantasy that allowed such a story to bring hope and promise above sorrow or regret.

Would these two icons be who they were today without their romance? Would they be known as they are without their tragedy? Take a trip out west and find out for yourself!

Tickets for All My Love

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