As a curtain raiser to the main show, Maggie Scott directed a touching production of local playwright Roger Gimblett’s lyrical one act play, ‘Horizons’.
This was an eloquently performed two hander about solace. Jenny Jacobs played Liz, a single, lonely middle aged corporate woman on holidays, enjoying the sunshine on a beach in Noosa. Liz is befriended by Chris, a local surfie, played by John Buencamino, who goes over to her for a chat. They strike up a rapport, and through sharing some of their personal stories, thoughts and humour, they come out from their encounter feeling refreshed and renewed.
British playwright Peter Shaffer, best known for the epic dramatic works ‘Equus’ and ‘Amadeus’, also had plenty of success with his knockabout farce, ‘Black Comedy’.
In ‘Black Comedy’, promising sculptor Brindsley and his fiancee Carol invite millionaire art connoisseur George Bamberger to their home, hoping that he will purchase some of his artwork. They spruce up their house with the intention of impressing Bamberger. It’s a case of the best laid plans of mice and men going awry as before Bamberger even walks through their door, the power to their apartment suddenly goes off….
A good cast, well directed by Pamela Whalan, makes Shaffer’s popular farce zing. Matthew Orchard as the ambitious, angst ridden Brindsley and Justine Kacir as his snooty Knightsbridge fiancée, Carol, impressed in the lead roles. My picks in the supporting cast were Bill Lamonby as Carol’s uptight, fierce father Colonel Melkett, Daniel Felkai as Brindley’s rattled neighbour, Harold, and, in particular, Lisa Harrison who gave a strong comic performance as the increasingly inebriated and out of control Miss Furnival.
The double bill opened on Saturday 27th November and plays until Sunday 12th December, 2010 at the Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, Sydney.
