[usr 4]
Two stars of Australian theatre, Georgie Parker and Glenn Hazeldine, have come to the Ensemble stage to star in David Williamson’s updated romantic comedy RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA. It is a play they know very well. They played opposite each other in the play’s premiere production, on the same stage. in 2010.
Glenn Hazeldine plays Gary, who goes by the moniker Rhinestone Rex, is a retired country music singer who now works as a tradie by day, and does some shifts as a radio disc jockey.
Georgie Parker plays prissy Miss Monica, a former violinist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra who has had to retire prematurely because of RSI.
Fate brings them together when Monica, looking for new projects, employs Gary to build a new kitchen in her Glebe apartment. In true romantic comedy style, at first they can’t stand each other. The only thing that connects them is there love of music, but very different kinds of music. And oh, there is this other thing they both share. The long shadow of Loneliness which neither can bear. The end of Act 1 sees them declare a truce, and head out to dinner together.
Act 2 sees the play liven up as, with the help of some alcohol, they both let their guards down, talk freely and inhibitions disappear Gary reaches out for her hand, Monica doesn’t push his away, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Mark Kilmurry’s silky, assured direction steers the course well. Georgie Parker and Glenn Hazeldine are irresistible, playing two contrasting characters who dance around each other until they fall…
Through the play snippets, for want of a better word, of music, both popular and classical, are played, which act to lift the play.
Veronica Benett’s smart set of Monica’s living room was effective as wasTrudy Dalgleish’s lighting and Daryl Wallis’ sound design.
This is a very likeable, touching Williamson play. I don’t recall him having written any other romantic comedies. He sure hit the sweet spot with this one. And it is, once again, lovingly brought to life by another gilt-edged Ensemble production.
David Williamson’s RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA is playing the Ensemble Theatre until the 29th April 2023. Just to note that Williamson plays at the Ensemble book out early.
https://www.ensemble.com.au/shows/rhinestone-rex-and-miss-monica/
Production photography by Prudence Upton
