Presented by Galleon Theatre Group
Reviewed 18 October 2024
It is a bit of a mystery why Visiting Mr Green has seemingly only been produced once before in South Australia – St Jude’s Players performed it earlier this century. Jeff Baron’s play is a beautifully written slightly autobiographical dramedy examining loneliness, ageing, religion (in this case, Judaism) and prejudice/persecution. Although sounding heavy, it has a lot of humour in it and is still very relevant today.
Jewish octogenarian Mr Green (Andrew Horwood) lives all alone in his New York apartment until one Thursday night at 7 pm when Ross Gardiner (Andrew Clark) shows up on his doorstep. Ross has been sent by the Courts to serve Community Service every Thursday at 7 pm for nearly running Mr Green down. At first this is a real ‘odd couple’ experience. Ross doesn’t want to be there, but has to and Mr Green doesn’t want him there, but has to have him. There is much they both discover about each other and themselves.
It is never easy to direct a two-hander without turning it into a talk-fest, but Vicky Horwood has given both actors enough ‘real’ business to do to make for a very watchable play. Because of the writing, her direction and the actors’ performances the audience is drawn in from the very beginning and their attention held to the very end. This all takes place on a very believable New York average apartment set designed by Kym Clayton, Horwood and Vivienne Wray, and decorated well by Elaine Latcham and Mary Cummins (there’s even an authentic menorah in the background!).
It is hard to separate the performances of the two Andrews (Horwood and Clark), they are both excellent. Horwood dazzles with his authentic American Jewish accent and is totally believable as an octogenarian Jew, with his hand twitching constantly and a quaint little shuffle whenever he moves – neither of which are overdone. Clark has the audience in the palm of his hand the moment he first enters the front door. His likability just shines and is infectious to us (even Mr Green eventually). While everything is just right with both performances, Clark has a very moving monologue in Act two that is delivered at such the right pitch that it is stunning to experience. Both actors paint beautiful pictures for the audience and these come to life in our minds vividly.
Visiting Mr Green is a great play, well directed and featuring fine, exceptional performances from two of Adelaide Community Theatre’s best actors.
Reviewed by Brian Godfrey
Venue: Domain Theatre, Marion Cultural Centre
Season: Until 26 October 2024
Duration: Approx 2 hrs (including 20 min interval)
Tickets: $25 – $28
Bookings: https://www.galleon.org.au/html/bookings.html
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