The dinner party from hell is hardly a novel topic for a play – whether it’s Albee or Bunuel or Bill Shakespeare – so the assessment is not ‘what’s new, pussycat?’ but ‘how well was it done?’
Fortunately the latest production, the Housewarming’ by “Famous Last Words Theatre” is well done indeed.
It traces one day (and previous histories) in the lives of Phoebe (influencer, about to be proposed to by) Nick, rich boy who may be blind to some of his privilege’s specifics, but not its very existence (he has checked his privilege, it’s still there and he’s glad of it), Phoebe’s (former) best friend Steph and her partner, hard-done-by intellectual Mike. Everyone’s trapped in different ways, in different cages, with more or less awareness. Everyone thinks someone else might provide a key – if not to getting out of the cage, then at least to a better cage. A dinner party (with nibbles rather than food) is the claustrophobic setting for all that unfolds.
What the reviews have said is fair (see here, here, here). It is slightly longer than it needs to be, and the conflicts – especially between the men are too sudden, (and slightly implausible) and loses any sense of “build-up”. As Heather Taylor Johnson says “Without a moment of comradery, without a measure of equality, there is no light to their shade – and their shade is constant.”
All four performances – Virginia Blackwell as Phoebe Daniel Fryar-Calabro as Nick, Emelia Williams as Steph, and Chris Gun as Michael – are very strong indeed, and it would be invidious to single anyone out. They hit their notes, they overcome shortcomings, they are subtle and nuanced when required, blunt when required.
Four out of five for the play – there are issues with some of the dialogue, in my opinion, and it’s a credit to the actors that overcome these and keep the show on the road.
Five out of five for the cast and set design, fight co-ordination etc, and direction).
Next up at Goodwood Theatre
Machinal
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1419884?
I won’t be in Adelaide for it, but in September (17-26) one of my favourite plays, Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People gets the Famous Last Words treatment.
When his discovery threatens a coastal towns main source of income, Doctor Thomas Stockmann finds himself caught in a battle between corporate interests and environmental wellbeing. Fake news and misinformation abound when Thomas’ older sibling, the local Mayor, decides to get involved.
This fresh take on Ibsen’s classic responds directly to ongoing climate emergencies here in South Australia; bringing our audience into the production as the townspeople and asking you to decide what is to be done about this crisis.
marchudson.net 
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