This early successful play by Noel Coward is very well recreated by the Genesian Theatre. The wickedly observant humour of a brave young Coward attacks the high society characters in often merciless exchanges. All cast are lavishly costumed and the bright, detailed sets are sufficiently opulent and accommodating.
In this production, as in many modern situational comedies of merit, the energetic young characters expose the hidden feelings of the adults and are joyously immune to any results of grown-up defences or idiocies.
Anita Donovan and Lachlan Edmonds are a dynamic duo as the play’s youth from their first scene to the end. They set a cracking, inexhaustible pace in an intercontinental quest to reunite their estranged parents.
The supporting cast present more than adequate caricatures and represent well the hopes, mores and hypocrisy of their affluent society. At times there is still space for the extended cast in this production to paint even more multi-layered and extreme portraits, both on a group or individual level. The loaded nuances and traps in Coward’s high society dialogues are always there to help.
Little is wanting in the depiction of characters forming the cross-continent love triangle of George Brent, with his first and second wives Jennifer and Cicely. Both women are written to represent strong decisiveness regardless of the rules of high society but they are directed to also contrast well.
The icy coldness between George and Cicely Brent on their hunting estate produces satisfying tension. Dearbhla Hannigan’s unhappy Cicely is suitably acceptable to society, secretly atypical and a rather wicked stepmother.
Kerry Day presents a Jennifer Brent which is as varied as her costuming. Day’s expressiveness of movement and stage timing are formidable. Her depiction of female self-protectiveness necessary to survive various vulnerabilities is delightfully portrayed. On a high society level, the supporting cast’s comic element is excellently fulfilled by Rebecca Latham as Jennifer’s Italian maid, Maria.
This is a terrific chance for a modern audience to immerse itself in a period piece with a bite, and to do so at the theatre and not on television. It is not essentially high drama but rather comedy with a bite and a filigree of sentiment which wins out here.
Noel Coward’s THE YOUNG IDEA, directed by Laura Genders, opened at the Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, Sydney on Saturday 4th May and runs until Saturday 8th June, 2013.
© Paul Nolan
5th May, 2013
Tags: Sydney Stage Reviews- THE YOUNG IDEA, Noel Coward, Genesian Theatre Company, Laura Genders, Anita Donovan, Lachlan Edmonds, Dearbhla Hannigan, Kerry Day, Rebecca Latham, Grant Fraser, Sydney Arts Guide, Paul Nolan
