Christopher Hurrell’s ‘Arts Radar’ production of local playwright Rick Viede’s play ‘Whore’ goes for highly charged relationship drama in a similar style to British playwright Patrick Marber’s ‘Closer’.
Viede’s main character is Sarah, a young Australian woman who is on a working holiday in London. She is working in a call centre selling cleaning products when she befriends another Aussie, sex worker Tim. Together they take a walk on the wild side, getting involved with gratuitous sex, drugs and violence, and putting their own lives and souls on the line.
This ‘Whore’ is made up of tough, uncompromising characters in the full blush of youth, living dangerously and coming across trouble. The play is fast paced with plenty of criss- crossing action. The dialogue is sharp and frank right from the start.
‘Whore’ features Rhiannon Owen and Paul Mawhinney in the lead roles powerfully deliver some stunning extended Viede monologues. They are well supported by Keith Aguis and Ben Mortley playing a variety of salubrious characters that they encounter. A driving rock score featuring songs put together by local rock bands complements the action. Plenty of heat is generated on the intimate Belvoir stage set up by Justin Nardella and lit by Stephen Hawker.
A harsh, telling coming of age story, ‘Whore’ plays downstairs Belvoir as part of its annual B Sharp season until the 28th June.
