Top Silk
Playwright: David Williamson
Director: Mark Kilmurry
Ensemble Theatre, Kirribilli
31 July – 12 Sept, 2026
Directed by Mark Kilmurry, David Williamson’s sharp legal satire is beautifully served by Ailsa Paterson’s outstanding set and costume design. Written in the 1980s Top Silk Williamson’s exploration of the public versus the private world still carries conviction.
Ensemble’s creative crew consistently find clever ways to transform the theatre’s intimate stage into multiple locations, and this production is no exception. The staging is seamless, imaginative and never feels constrained by the space.
The cast is uniformly strong although a little stiff at times which could just be first night. Rachel Gordon, Nicholas Brown, Samir Nasser, Jeremy Waters, Jamie Oxenbould, Thomas Campbell and Laurence Coy all deliver assured performances. The diversity of characters keeps the play engaging, with each actor creating distinctive personalities that bring Williamson’s satire on institutional corruption, power dynamics, marital rand family relationships to vivid life..
The play’s biggest weakness is its first half, which feels slow and light on story. While there are enjoyable moments and strong performances, it takes time for the central narrative to emerge, and the pacing occasionally drifts. Once the plot gathers momentum after the interval, however, the emotional stakes become clearer and the production finds its rhythm.
Overall, Top Silk is an entertaining evening of theatre, elevated by exceptional design and a talented cast. Even if the opening act requires a little patience, the creativity on display — particularly Paterson’s ingenious and committed design—and the engaging performances make it well worth seeing.
