Susan O'Toole-Cridland
Susan O'Toole - Cridland
Director
Susan has been involved in theatre for over 30 years, having started out on stage in Children's Theatre at Brisbane Arts Theatre.
Biography
Under the mentor-ship of some exceptional directors, although primarily an actor, she soon discovered a real passion for directing. Being able to share with actors what Susan was fortunate to be taught by people who were skilled in this craft soon became an obsession.
Early directing credits include Cinderella, The Wish Granter, After January, Summer of the Aliens, Cosi, The Breakfast Club, Ruby Moon, Blackrock, Fame and various one act shows on the South East Qld Drama Festival circuit.
In the last 5 years Susan directed a darker look at Ruby Moon and The Amateurs for Ad Astra. She has also been a finalist three times in the Best Director category at The Gold Palm Awards for her contemporary takes on Ruby Moon, 12 Angry Men and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
As an actor, her stage performances include roles in Dags, Mother Courage, Night Mother, Slaughter on St Teresa's Day, The Glass Menagerie, Harp in the South and Steel Magnolias. Her most recent performance was in Mr Bailey's Minder and she is hoping to have the chance to get back on stage in 2025
She has won awards on the South East Drama Festival circuit for her performances in Seeds, Who the Fuck is Erica Price and for writing and performing in Void
Reviews
Life, death, art, and the search for purpose twist together in Jordan Harrison’s compelling tragic comedy The Amateurs, directed by Susan O’Toole Cridland and superbly performed at Ad Astra”
Elise Lawrence - Backstreet Brisbane | Read full review here
“The theatre in-jokes abound, and Susan O’Toole Cridland directs with a fast pace that doesn’t detract from the depth of performance possible from her superb cast.”
Beth Keehn - Stage Whispers | Read full review here
Ruby Moon is a dialogue on grief, loss, and the intensity of building emotion. Finding moments of fleeting familiarity in an increasingly unknown world is a difficult task, but director Susan O’Toole-Cridland delved deep into this dark matter. Audience are rewarded with an intricate, timeless, and transformative performance.
Siobhan - Mystify | Read full review
“Direction by Susan O’Toole-Cridland brought much strength to the piece. Her blocking kept audiences engaged by using certain furniture and props to create a haunting effect when one of the major plot twists unfolds. The pacing and beats made the audience feel unsettled and entranced, which is an impressive task with a two-hander. The shocking comedy added levity to the situation, which contrasted with the tension of the moving rocking horse. O’Toole-Cridland’s use of gothic themes, physical comedy and seamless transitions between scenes lifted the story. This was felt most by the audience with the bleak, harsh reality of the ending.”
Aaron Evans | Theatre Haus | Read full review
“In this production O’Toole has created a faster paced action, which is sharper and more decisive, so it results in a greater expectation and tension on stage, encouraging viewer interest.”
Lilian Harrrington - Absolute Theatre | Read full review
‘Ruby Moon’ is a complex and deeply disturbing piece. With clever direction from Susan O’Toole-Cridland’
Trent Sellars - Theatre Haus | Read full review
Brisbane Arts Theatre has done a brilliant job bringing this classic coming-of-age movie to the stage.
Bobi-Lea Dionysius | Read full review
The performances of Susan O’Toole as the pregnant magazine reporter Janet Brock, and 15-year-old Hannah Perkins, added moments of reality and light.
Eric Scott | Read full review
Ad Astra Plays
Upcoming Plays
Past Plays
Other Plays
Directing credits include Cinderella, The Wish Granter, After January, Summer of the Aliens, Cosi, The Breakfast Club, Ruby Moon, Blackrock, Fame and various one act shows on the South East Qld Drama Festival circuit.
As an actor, her stage performances include roles in Dags, Mother Courage, Night Mother, Slaughter on St Teresa's Day, The Glass Menagerie, Harp in the South and she made a rare return to stage most recently in Steel Magnolias. She has won awards on the South East Drama Festival circuit for her performances in Seeds, Who the Fuck is Erica Price and for writing and performing in Void, and was a Gold Palm Award finalist for Best Director for Ruby Moon
