I have seen Neil Labute’s 2001 play THE SHAPE OF THINGS a number of times over the years. I was privileged to review the Sydney Theatre Company’s Australian premiere production in January 2005, performed at STC’s Wharf I Theatre, directed by the mercurial Jeremy Sims, with a dream cast led by Leeanna Walsman as Evelyn and Brendan Cowell as Adam, in a twisted love story with very dark humour.
I never tire of seeing it. It ticks all the boxes for me for what makes good theatre. The play is very tight, the characters well drawn, the audience gets involved, and most of all, it leaves us with plenty to think about….
Many of us are drawn to the world of the arts, and are very passionate about it. Things become tricky, and even more so, very messy, when we don’t put clear boundaries between our creative lives and the personal lives of those around us.
Another theme revolves around the notion of personal change. It is fair to say that personality changes aren’t so easy to achieve, and usually require a lot of self help books!. How authentic and lasting is it when it is another who is directing the makeover?!
This current Lane Theatre Company revival has been performed by a talented, capable cast.
Bianca Łombardo plays the seductive, manipulative Evelyn. Lombardo is an emerging actor, filmmaker and a 2023 graduate of the Sydney Actors School. She has previously performed for Lane Cove theatre in The Harvest and Three Winters.
Lombardo gives a fine performance as the toxic, icy Evelyn. She particularly impressed in her extended, stunning monologue, the play’s penultimate scene.
Victor Xu plays the role of Adam who falls for Evelyn. Xu is a 2023 NIDA grad whose bio includes that he is also a multi-instrumentalist, an athlete, a TedX speaker and a commerce law student.
Xu succesfully conveys the transformation of Adam from being a nerdy, very awkward guy to a confident, even brash young man.
Nash Williams plays the role of Adam’s best friend, Phillip. Williams trained at the Arts Unit’s Drama Ensemble, and was recently selected to perform his group devised piece Disgraced at OnSTAGE, a prestigious HSC Drama showcase, and was nominated for his individual performance.
Williams portrays his character well; an outspoken, provocative young guy who is highly condescending in his relationship with Adam. In short, not the kind of guy you want on your team!
Isabel Toovey plays Philip’s girlfriend, Jenny. Toohey is currently studying a Juris Doctor in law at the University of Sydney, is a trained opera singer, being an alumni of the Sydney Girls Choir, and enjoys playing complex, layered roles.
Toovey’s poignant portrayal of Jenny depicts a fragile, sensitive young woman who fatefully, and thankfully, finds out that Phillip is not the one for her.
Kathryn Thomas’ direction of this talented cast is assured. Her production particularly honed in on the play’s time period. LaBute’s play premiered in 2001, and Thomas has informed the play with the culture, fashion, music and insecurities of that time.
There is minimum use of props that are moved in between scenes by the cast. The only use of multi-media is its use of video in the final scene. The lighting design was very effective.
LaBute’s play is, as it has been for many years now, deservedly on the HSC Drama syllabus.
THE SHAPE OF THINGS is playing for only one more week. Try and see it, and support local theatre. This is a fine production of an outstanding play.
A Lane Cove Theatre Company’s production of Neil LaBute’s THE SHAPE OF THINGS is playing the Pottery Lane Performance Space, lower ground floor, Lane Cove community hub, 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove until the 23rd May 2025.
http://www.lanecovetheatrecompany.com.au
