Review: The Paige Turner Bookshop
Picture (L to R): The curtain call for Gemma Keliher, Dominic Cridland, Moxie Robinson, Joanna Blanees Filardi, Will Bursaw, Hazel Young and Thordis Klein (Image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
The Paige Turner Bookshop is an original work by Harry Fritsch (Playwright), which had a Brisbane premiere in October 2026. Having loved their 2024 The Playground in the Sky, also brought to the Brisbane stage by the talented Virag Dombay (Director and Stage Manager)—and supported by Jack Barrett, (Assistant Director), and with animations by Lachlan Toft (Animation Designer)—I was delighted to have the opportunity to see the latest Fritsch/Dombay/Play on Stage production.
Six young people visit the new neighbourhood bookshop run by the mysterious Miss Paige (Gemma Keliher). Each of them knows what type of book they are looking for—from the latest Manga to an all-important textbook. But Miss Paige doesn’t appear to agree. Sharing a special work that appears only to have an ending, Miss Paige instead gently finds the ‘right’ book for each reader, and drops in a few moral messages and tips for dealing with real world challenges. As Harry Fritsch notes, ‘sharing stories is one of the most powerful things we can do as people.’ I am impressed at the way in which the playwright has interwoven recommendations for much-loved works of ‘children’s literature’ throughout a play which reveals the personal stories and challenges that each of the younger characters are experiencing.
Gemma Keiler, who is a Play on Stage Lead and Assistant Facilitator for Early and Upper Primary Classes, is a great choice as the calm and mysterious Miss Paige, encouraging and supporting the work of her fellow actors. The six shoppers are delightfully played by Moxie Robinson (the manga-loving Rosie), Hazel Young (the studious Jude), Will Bursaw (the very enthusiastic Robin), the impressive Joanna Blanees Filardi (Georgia), Dominic Cridland (a lovely portrayal of the caring older brother, Kaiden), and Thordis Klein (who plays the youngest customer, Chelsea). Every performer has their moment to shine. Joanna is a talented actor, portraying Georgia as an intelligent and sensitive friend. Dominic’s Kaiden is a delightfully awkward brother, but also ‘I love love’ the confession and book allocation. Equally, Dominic’s interactions with his sister are particularly special thanks to excellent work between Moxie and Dominic. Will is funny, with great comic moments around a love of ‘explosions,’ while Hazel is excellent when communicating the genuine sadness of a child who feels their parent only loves them for their hard work and study. And Thordis charms the audience with a gentle portrayal of a young reader.
As you will see from the photographs, the actors perform against a well-thought-out set that cleverly, and cost-effectively, establishes the mysterious bookshop, thanks to Lachlan Toft’s animations and also the set design and realisation by Parados Education (Set Designers Lèa Ebert, Sari de Koning, Neela de Koning, and Hayley Davis), and technical design by S&B Techworks (Technical Designer). The set appears to be designed for touring as, at the curtain call, Virag Dombay invites audience members (and their friends) to support fundraising to take the production on tour in 2027, reminding us that Play on Stage is a youth drama studio and production company that seeks to empower young people through the arts—and is possibly unique in aiming to pay the cast and crew for their work.
Picture: Before Miss Paige works her magic (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Image credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Picture: Wondering what is in Miss Paige’s book (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: The siblings (Image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Learning about Miss Paige’s book (Image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
This is a sensitively directed professional ‘young adult’ performance of another excellent piece of new writing. I really do hope that the Play on Stage cast and crew are able to pursue their dreams of bringing their latest work to wider audiences. If you love books, this is a play for you. If you want to encourage young people to share in your love of books, then this is definitely a play for you. If you are looking for a great play to put on at your school then (you’ve guessed it) this is a play for you. And, if your school budget allows, why not see if you can request a special performance to your class or fellow students as it will provoke some wonderful conversations with junior school students (and their parents and grandparents)!
The Paige Turner Bookshop is a gentle, wholesome, and cleverly crafted play that would work just as well as the basis of a film—and is hopefully destined for an extnded theatrical tour of schools and performance spaces. Don’t just take my word for it, as I hear that Trent Dalton said ‘this play is so so so beautiful! It deserves to tour the whole of Oz! Should be part of school drama classes!’ The 2026 run is now ended, but I recommend looking out for news about touring productions of The Paige Turner Bookshop.
Picture: Image Credit: Creative Futures Photography
Audience Information: The Paige Turner Bookshop, Enoggera Performing Arts Centre (EPAC), 52 Laurel St, Enoggera QLD 4051 (17-24 October 2026). All ages. No warnings. Tickets no longer on sale.
The reviewer attended the Saturday 24th October 2026 performance (10:30am).
Presented by Play on Stage. Play on Stage is supported through the Australian Cultural Fund