To Ashes, by Jason Rip (2003)

Prime Jason Rip script ... Spellbinding two-hander - Jeff Culbert as the brutish Tom Ash and Serge Saika-Voivod as the obese, grungy Thomas Ash are an unforgettable duo. So well directed by Rip you can actually smell the sweat, stale air and cheesies. The play's 16 month gestation period was time well spent for all concerned parties. -- Christopher Doty, Theatre in London

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Problem Child, by George F. Walker (2003):

4½ stars - A triumph ... remarkable depth ... skillful social commentary that brings tears of both laughter and sorrow -- Maggie Wrobel, UWO Gazette

This Ausable Theatre production is just plain masterful ... a meaty, memorable production -- Christopher Doty, Theatre in London

An admirable job balancing the conflicting elements of grim reality and funny moments ... Tragic, comic, depressing, thought-provoking, poignant, bizarre and all too frighteningly real -- Noel Gallagher, London Free Press

Ausable Theatre's production of this masterpiece is a must-see ... they achieve greatness. -- Patricia Black, Scene Magazine

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The Story of the Gentle Rain Food Co-op and One-man Masque, by James Reaney (2002):

The pairing not only shows Reaney's range as a playwright but also creates an evening as thoughtful as it is humorous. Thanks are due to Ausable Theatre for bringing Reaney's words so strikingly to life ... Gentle Rain succeeds on stage better than many other adaptations of radio dramas because of the non-naturalistic approach of director Jeff Culbert. The inventiveness of the production and performances are a perfect match for the playfulness of the text. -- Christopher Hoile, Theatreworld

Both director and cast should rank this offering as one of the more successful and diverse theatrical achievements in London this year. --Christopher Doty, Theatre in London

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Work, by James O'Reilly (2002):

4 stars - unforgettable ... a riveting performance -- Helen Meaney, Irish Times

Culbert is mesmerizing, an ensemble rolled into one. -- Irish Examiner

Theatre that's disturbing and hilarious at the same time. -- Christopher Doty, London Fringe review team

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Her Worship, by Peter Desbarats (2002):

After months of marketing the sizzle, Her Worship delivers a surprisingly satisfying steak. The "dramatic comedy", which launched its world premiere at the Grand Theatre's McManus Studio last night, wasn't expected to live up to the huge hype that preceded it. Locally, the public's interest was captured by talk of this play that was "completely fictitious" yet "inspired" by the real-life controversies sparked during Dianne Haskett's tenure (1995 to 2000) as London's mayor.
A proven conversation-starter up to now, Her Worship fares rather well when judged solely on its merits as a theatre piece. -- Noel Gallagher, London Free Press

a close-hitting and unforgettable production -- Christopher Doty, Theatre in London

King Phoenix, by Robertson Davies (2001):

The production is humble but imaginative and is directed with a clear understanding of the text by Ausable Artistic Director, Jeff Culbert. He allows the play to build steadily in meaning and emotion to its very moving conclusion. Ausable has performed a great service in helping to rehabilitate this fascinating work. -- Christopher Hoile, Theatreworld

4½ stars - King Phoenix' rebirth at the Grand's McManus stage is powerful, thought-provoking and dynamic. It stands as a testament to the quality of one of Canada's literary gems. -- Ben Freedman, UWO Gazette

4½ stars - Ausable artistic director Jeff Culbert has led the way in helping renew interest in Davies' dramas. The production achieves the right Davies mix of myth and magic, wit and wisdom. The master's own touch could not have been better than this one. -- James Reaney, London Free Press

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Running Rude, by Jeff Culbert (2001):

crisp, witty dialogue ... another festival plus ... well played by Sam Shoebottom and Tiffany Koch ... leaves us wanting to know more about these intriguing personalities ... It's to be hoped that Running Rude, the first adventure of Rudi and Boot, isn't their last. -- Noel Gallagher, London Free Press

an engaging tale ... one of the small gems from the 2001 Fringe Festival ... Running Rude also contains ones of my favourite lines from any year in theatre: "That's the consolation prize of the 20th century; we screwed up the world, but we documented it really well." -- Christopher Doty, Theatre in London

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True West, by Sam Shepard (2001):

By picking the right play, a theatre troupe is more than half way to staging a successful production. The Ausable Theatre certainly met that goal by selecting True West to launch its fourth season. But this presentation of Sam Shepard’s gripping script also boasts two fine actors in its lead roles ... (Ray) Bowen and (Tim) Culbert make an excellent stage team in this Odd-Couple-on steroids scenario. They’re very adept at wringing the gut-wrenching emotions and the sardonic humour from the play. -- Noel Gallagher, London Free Press

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Philadelphia, Here I Come!, by Brian Friel (2000):

Anyone with an interest in Irish drama should consider a detour from Niagara-on-the-Lake or Stratford to see this production done simply but with great feeling and understanding ... Subtle performances that are among the best that I have seen this summer (and that includes the two big festivals!) ... Ausable Theatre is proving to be a very welcome addition to the summer theatre scene in Ontario...The niche it is creating for itself is an enviable one - intelligent plays, well acted and thoughtfully directed. -- Christopher Hoile, Stage Door

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Novel House, by Jayson McDonald (2000):

Lucan’s Ausable Theatre has another success on its hands with its latest production ‘Novel House’ … a humourous and sad story … an intelligent, funny scipt that moves along well and keeps the audience’s attention … kept the audience laughing … the play moves along smoothly and leaves the audience smiling -- Scott Nixon, Exeter Times Advocate

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Hunting Stuart, by Robertson Davies (2000):

I can’t help but reflect on how much more enjoyable this low-budget production of an obscure Davies play was compared with the many big-budget productions of classic comedies that Stratford has been putting on over the past several years. Expensive sets, costumes and lighting do not make a comedy funnier or more effective. What Stratford has been lacking, but what the tiny Ausable Theatre has in Jeff Culbert, is a director who has insight into the comedy he is directing, knows how to communicate that insight to his cast and knows how to get the cast to communicate that insight to the audience. I very much look forward to their next Davies production. -- Christopher Hoile, Stage Door

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A Jig for the Gypsy, by Robertson Davies (1999):

Robertson Davies sure knows how to write a captivating story, and Ausable Theatre in Lucan does an admirable job of bringing A Jig for the Gypsy to life after its long sleep since 1973 ... funny and entertaining -- Helen Stephenson, Middlesex Banner

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Communing With Claire, by Donald Lemna (1999):

Good performances ... intriguing script ... well worth the short jaunt up Highway 4 to not-so-sleepy Lucan -- Patricia Black, Scene Magazine

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Sea Marks, by Gardner McKay (1999):

Performed with great spirit and sensitivity … almost everything about this production merits praise … the actors’ naturalistic and tender portrayals of the chemistry between their characters worked beautifully … a play to warm the cockles of the heart Scene Magazine

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Target Audience, by Mary Crawford and Alan Templeton (1998):

Target Audience is an excellent production ... oozes charm and relevance -- The Middlesex Banner

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Bob the Teapot, by Jason Rip (1998):

Ausable’s Bob the Teapot offers memorable and rich performances ... It’s crass. It’s quirky and witty. It’s a shoot ‘em up western. -- Exeter Times-Advocate

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Overlaid, by Robertson Davies (1998):

Overlaid is an excellent, tight production of a moving play easily as appealing to today’s audiences as it was to today’s audiences as it was to those of the 1950s ... Ausable Theatre is evidence that good theatre can be done well, simply and on a limited budget. What is essential is not the trappings of an extravagant evening but a good script, a lot of talent and most of all an earnest love for dramatizing the 'human condition' -- Sherry Telenko, Id Magazine

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Review of Ausable's first season (1998):

Culbert has a knack for choosing thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable plays, as anyone who took in last season can attest ... Ausable's a brave venture which shows great promise -- Scene Magazine