Frances: Danielle Spiller
Danielle is delighted to be returning to the stage after a hiatus spent raising her three daughters. This production marks her debut with REP, and she is thoroughly enjoying playing the role of Frances—a woman who yearns for adventure while navigating complex relationships and the weight of maternal guilt; ultimately rediscovering her independence. In Canberra, Danielle has performed with The Players Company as Lt Commander Joanne Galloway in A Few Good Men and Mary in The Memory of Water, for which she received a CAT Award nomination for Best Actress. Her theatre journey began in Brisbane, where favourite productions included Miss Julie as Miss Julie, Oedipus Rex as Chorus, and The Deadly Game as Nicole at Brisbane Arts Theatre. When not on stage, you’ll find Danielle spending time with her partner James and her three daughters, playing tennis, at choir, gardening, enjoying live music or heading to the coast for a weekend away.
Frank: Pat Gallagher
After appearing as Ernest in REP's recent Bedroom Farce and now as Frank in Travelling North, Pat has officially added "grumpy retiree" to his repertoire of older authority figures, having played characters such as senators, reverends, judges, and even Senator/Reverend/Judge. Musicially, he was most recently seen as Tinsworthy in QP's 9 To 5; and prior to that as Senator Pickering in My Fair Lady, and Bob in Priscialla, Queen of the Desert. Over the years, he has performed with most of Canberra's theatre companies, playing roles such as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, King Arthur in Camleot, Collins in Rent, Inspector Rough in Gaslight, and Lloyd in Nosies Off.
Sophie: Margeaux Arundel Williams
Margeaux is an upcoming actor who is new to REP and is thrilled to be a part of Travelling North. Getting to know the loving but unsatisfied Sophie and working with the lovely cast has been a total joy. She has previously been seen (though hidden) operating large dinosaur puppets with the Sydney-based company ERTH, escaping a dying world via spaceship in the musical Planet K for Wollongong Short & Sweet, and leaping from boxes as The Fox in Fox in Sox at Hawker College. She is often found muttering to herself in random accents, serenading her housemates (against their will), or sloshing tea on the books she's reading when they get too exciting.
Helen: Matilda Millar-Carton
Matilda is excited to appear as Helen in REP’s production of Travelling North. This is her first scripted performance since she was one of three Sally Bowles in a high school production of Cabaret. Most recently, Matilda has performed in Impro ACT’s Instant. She is pleased to now appear in a show in which she has both predetermined lines and a part all to herself. Matilda has thoroughly enjoyed playing Helen, who she agrees is 'rather formidable', but also very admirable. As an older sister in real life, she has even grown sympathetic to the plight of younger sisters. She would like to give a shout-out to her own, who is just as fierce and determined as Helen – and that is a compliment!
Joan: Stephanie van Lieshout
Stephanie van Lieshout is delighted to return to the REP stage as Joan in Travelling North, following her first appearance in the ensemble cast of the 2025 season’s Low Pay? Don’t Pay! Having recently embarked on a new chapter in her acting career, Stephanie is eager to apply her training and continue developing her craft. She holds a Bachelor of Stage and Screen from Charles Sturt University, where she specialised in Acting. During her studies, she earned her first professional screen credit as a featured extra in the Australian film The Merger, appearing as Miss Chadwick. When she’s not performing, Stephanie enjoys reading, comforting TV shows, and, admittedly, a fair bit of doom-scrolling. She is especially excited to work again under the direction of Cate Clelland and to help bring this engaging and distinctly Australian story to life.
Freddy Wicks: Steven Kennedy
Steven Kennedy is returning to the stage after an eight year absence while undertaking the role of his life - fatherhood. In the 15 years prior to becoming a dad, Steven worked across the spectrum of performance art with theatre, TV, and film, as well as writing, directing and producing credits. Steven’s last production, Jeremiah’s Tuesday, won the Best Experimental Production at the United Solo festival in New York City. Steven last worked with Director Cate Clelland in the 2007 production of Summer of the 17th Doll where he played Barney. Steven loves playing soccer with his son and coaching new fathers through his registered charity, Prepared Dad Foundation.
Saul Morgenstein: Adrian Breen
Adrian is excited to be involved in this production, after a hiatus of some 20 years since he previously performed in REP productions Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, The Madness of George III, and Don's Party, another David Williamson Australian classic. The chance to be involved in the telling of a great Australian story with such resonant contemporary themes, and to work with such a talented cast and crew, is a rare opportunity that Adrian feels very fortunate to experience.
Wedding Celebrant: Kumar Kartikey Gupta
Kumar is thrilled to be taking the stage in Travelling North, where he steps into the shoes of the Wedding Celebrant, the only person at a wedding who gets paid to make others cry. Though his acting career began in the hallowed halls of high school with What’s New Pussycat, Kumar has worn many hats in the theatre world, most notably keeping the spotlight (quite literally) on the stars of Legally Blonde. Turns out, he decided it was finally time to step into the light himself. When he’s not on stage, you’ll find him running, climbing, or cycling his way through the ACT. A recent AFL convert, Kumar hopes you enjoy the show as much as he’s enjoyed being part of it. Buckle up — it’s going to be a great night.
Gallery Attendant: Grace Cassidy
Grace is excited to make her stage debut in REP’s Travelling North, having previously performed in minor screen roles, workshops and staged readings. Recently, she played Riley in the seven-part short film series That Night by Miahtya Productions, which premiered at the Young Australian Film Festival 2025. Last year, she was also lucky enough to gain professional on-set experience as a background actor in the second season of ABC’s Austin. This will be Grace’s first role in a play since she was Beatrice in a high school production of A Servant of Two Masters.
