James Whitrow & Luke Budgen
Presented by Adelaide Repertory Theatre
Reviewed 19 June 2015
This Rep show carries a warning “Sexually explicit words and actions”, pretty racy for the staid ‘old lady’ of theatre! The show opens when a wife comes home early from yoga to discover her husband ‘entertaining’ in their lounge room. He wants to talk about it, she doesn’t. He wants to cancel their guests for the evening, she doesn’t, and things develop from there.
Erik Strauts has put together a really strong cast, right down to the minor part of Amanda, Phil’s dalliance for the day, played with confidence by Laura Antoniazzi. The couple whose home we are visiting are Phil and Joan, brought to life with veracity by James Whitrow and Bronwyn Ruciak. Their discussion is believable and sets the ground for what follows.
The visiting couples, Greg and Lisa played by Luke Budgen and Sharon Pitardi, and Carl and Kelly played by Johnathan Johnston and Tess O’Flaherty, have realistic connections, the banter is frighteningly familiar. Three relationships of which only one seems to be working? With Joan’s sniping at Phil and Lisa’s put-downs of Greg, disaster is on the cards.
The couples get to the game of partner swapping, not quite the 70’s ‘keys in the bowl’ but by interval they have all retired to the bedrooms! A very quick act one, with good pace and quite a few laughs.
The interesting set works well: it’s not overdressed and the lighting helps the off stage action to keeps the audience guessing. Erik Strauts has kept the action moving despite the actors at times being static. No doubt he is aided by having such competent actors on stage. Ruciak is in her element playing the wounded wife and manipulating her husband and friends into a game of truth or dare which leads to the partner swap. Whitrow inhabits his character well and is a great foil for Ruciak. The rest of the ensemble is well matched from the subdued and hen-pecked persona adopted by Budgen to the oversexed, charming portrayal of Carl given by Johnston. Pitardi is the strong businesswoman, whilst O’Flaherty is the doe-eyed wife who hangs on her husband’s every word, both doing well.
This is a good departure for the Rep’s usual fare, but was not well supported by audience; a shame, as it is funny and well done. It deserves more – go see it!
Reviewed by Fran Edwards
Twitter: @franeds
Venue: Arts Theatre, Adelaide
Season: 18 June – 27 June
Duration: 1hr 50mins
Tickets: Adult $22, Conc. $17, Groups of 10+ (in one transaction) $15
Bookings:
· http://adelaiderep.com/
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