Presented by The Stirling Players
Reviewed 15 September 2024
Who is Sylvia? Shakespeare was the first playwright to ask this question of one of his characters in Two Gentlemen of Verona. Edward Albee is famous for making Sylvia a goat, and in 1995, A.R. Gurney made Sylvia a stray dog in his play Sylvia.
Gurney’s play is a witty, physically funny, poignant and theatrically clever play about the “Sylvias” we all have in our lives. A “Sylvia’ doesn’t have to be a dog. It can be any pet or even things such as hobbies, work or even friends. A “Sylvia” as Gurney sees it is anything that one can spend time on to the detriment and exclusion of all else, especially loved ones.
Sylvia is a stray who latches onto Middle aged, middle manager Greg in a park one day. He’s just had an argument with his boss and she is just what he needs right now, so off home she goes with him to his Manhattan apartment. But she isn’t what his non-dog lover wife, Kate, needs right now or ever. The theatrical device in this play is that Sylvia is played by an actor and it requires the audience to suspend disbelief which is what makes the whole thing a delightful comedy.
Under Erik Strauts’ astute direction this Stirling Players’ production is just wonderful. He has cast it extremely well and his set design along with Stuart Partis is simple but very effective, allowing for almost lightning speed scene changes. Gilian Cordell once again proves why she is the costume queen of Adelaide community theatre, with very appropriate costumes for all, in particular Sylvia’s changes of outfits.
Scott Battersby as new-found dog owner, Greg, plays his role perfectly. We see his love for his dog whilst starting to neglect his wife (unintentionally) so clearly that we feel for him, even when he starts to become manic. As his wife, Kate, Anita Zamberlan Canala works well with Battersby and both give the impression that they have been together for years. Canala also gives a perfect example of how an actor can speak through clenched jaw and gritted teeth dripping vitriol beautifully.
Another dog owner, Tom, is given a nice masculine, almost macho, vibe by Nathan Brown juxta positioning well opposite Battersby. Only appearing once as Kate’s non-animal loving friend, Phyllis, Ashleigh Merriel gives a performance that makes us wish she would reappear later in the story. Her Brooklyn accent alone would give The Nanny’s Fran Fine a good run for her money. Her scene is truly hilarious and gives new meaning to the phrase “Hump Day” Also in one scene only but making their presence felt is Stephanie Russell as transgender Marriage Counsellor, Leslie. They are very convincing, so much so that by the end of the scene the phrase “Physician, Heal Thyself” comes to mind.
As loveable mutt Sylvia, there is not a lot to say about Dora Stamos, except that she is sublime. Even though she speaks, one believes every minute that she is a very convincing canine. Her facial expressions are a sheer joy to watch and although the centre of attention most of the time, she never once takes away anything from those acting with her at the time – the mark of a true performer. Stamos’ performance is so good that one is tempted to see it again. A Bravura performance!!!
Stirling Players’ shows are usually of very high quality and this one is no exception. It is a truly joyous, very pleasing, highly entertaining way to spend a couple of hours – so take the ‘lead’, go ‘walkies’ to the Stirling Community Theatre and ‘SIT!!’.
Reviewed by Brian Godfrey
Venue: The Stirling Community Theatre
Season: Until 28 September 2024
Duration: Approx 2hrs with a 20 min interval included
Tickets: $20 – $27
Bookings: https://www.stirlingplayers.org.au/purchase-tickets
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