‘IN a BONY EMBRACE’ reviewed by Gordon the Optom

‘IN a BONY EMBRACE’ is wonderful new work by Perth’s innovative playwright and actor, Gita Bezard. Gita has many talents including devisor, improv comedian and actor. Her talents have been recognised by many prestigious WA organisations that have sponsored or commissioned her to write.

Curtin’s Performance Students and The Hayman Theatre Company have combined to present this Stage One production. Stage One is a Curtin University initiative that annually gives a WA playwright the chance to see their own work brought to the stage.

‘IN a BONY EMBRACE’ can be seen at the Blue Room Theatre, 53 James Street, Northbridge. The 70-minute performances are nightly at 7.00 pm until Thursday 10th; on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th there are two shows, one at 6.00 pm and the other at 8.30 pm.

 

Designer, Sally Phipps’ impressive set is of an office, home and bar – all in pink. The floor and walls are bright carnation pink. The furniture is stylish Scandinavian and in the corner is a bunch of helium balloons. The chairs are matching pink, emerald green and mauve. Sally was helped in her design by Daisy Coyle, Madeleine Mullins and Sally Davies; with the numerous props sourced by Anna Lindstedt and Jess Fowles.

The hanging lights are 70s style, but are trendy and coming back into fashion. The lighting design by Rhiannon Petersen, assisted by Dylan Dorotich, is very well thought out and most effective. Lauren Beeton was lucky enough to have one of Perth’s top sound designers, Ben Collins, mentoring her. Production manager, Karen Cook was helped by her stage managers, Daniel Suelto and Becca Jackson, and ASMs Mai Han and Reef Jennings.

Luciana Kember and Annika Jane had to design costumes from the sexy, to nerdy and suave.

 

        In the dark, ten young people file onto the stage area. When the lights come on, there is a fight for the prime ‘star’ position in the line. This is to be the aim of the youngsters for the next 80 minutes – just to be that little bit better than their partners.

      At the breakfast table, April (Chelsea Gibson) decides that she has gone off her fun-loving partner, Sam (Alexander Gerrans). When the two arrive at work in the same office, the tension is high.

     Left behind in the flat are randy Lila (Beth Tremlett) and her long-term lover, Gavin (Nathan Whitebrook). They decide it is time to start a family, Gavin’s way, slowly and responsibly!!

     At work, shy and nervous (and possibly never-been-kissed) Harry (Daisy Coyle) confides to Danny (Tristan McInnes) how much she loves him; but she knows that at work, one should never mess on their own doorstep. Sylvia (Anna Lindstedt) loves men, but seems happy to just sort out people’s romance troubles.

     Holly (Jessica Nyanda Moyle) is a deep thinker, having deep, heart-breaking conversations with her absent partner and herself. In the corner of the bar sits the ‘sex magnet’ known as Jaxon (Sean Guastavino), always waiting to tell the next girl just how wonderful he is, or to point out to poor shy Matt (Kane Parker) what an ugly loser he is.

 

Gita’s script is superbly observed. The audience roared with laughter, not just at the hilarious dialogue but at the situations; situations that we have all experienced, and cringed at in retrospect.

Directed sensitively and subtly by Adam Mitchell, with Teresa Izzard looking after the movement, this play travels at an express pace, carrying the audience smoothly along for the bumpy ride. The acting was completely natural, adding to the madcap situations that kept cropping up.

An exceptionally funny play that has you recalling the many times you too have escaped from such terrible situations. Exceptionally funny and highly recommended.