Some Girl(s)
By Neil LaBute
Directed by Neil Coulson
Production Manager
& Set Construction – Tony Rains
Cast:
Guy Nicholaus
Linton
Sam Kimberley
May Moore
Tyler Ainsley
Winter
Lindsay Felicity
Haebich Legg
Reggie Molly
Harris
Bobbi Rosemary
Cokin
Boilerhouse Theatre Sunbury
Season June 2016
This is a lovely well-rounded production of
Some Girls(s) - a play that is quite
some social document of middle class dating in ‘The States’ in the 1980s. It premiered in London in 2005.
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| Photo by Kimberley Moore Media |
This work constitutes putting what makes a
successful relationship under the microscope through examining
miscommunications. There is a compelling
attitude of selfishness and pursuit of self-interest in Guy as the main
protagonist. Interestingly writer Neil
LaBute has been labeled a misanthrope and misogynist. Although I don’t think that is particularly
relevant in relation to this text - as portraying sexism in Theatre should not be
confused with endorsing it. In this
instance attitudes are being examined. The
female characters are afforded the autonomy of being fleshed out on stage in
such a way that they are able to speak for themselves an at times educate Guy.
The overall theme is universal and the
tensions in searching for a partner, one imagines, are pretty much the same anywhere. Put simply it is a fascinating interrogation
of young adult relationships and most particularly how we deal, or have dealt,
with rejection in our romantic lives. As
such it touches on one's personal experiences and is therefore is very
accessible and easy to relate to.
Most pertinently Some Girl(s) is a play for the twenty to thirty some thing age
group. But there is also heaps to find
in it for those of us who are now removed from the tussles of trying to
establish an intimate romantic relationship.
No matter what angle you are watching it from it is a rewarding night of
theatre fascinating, enlightening and fun.
Such a treat to attend an intelligently
managed streamlined amateur production that doesn’t hide behind unnecessary props or
bits of business. Quite obviously
Director and Cast have the confidence and courage to present the work with out superfluous
and befuddling embellishment.
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| Photo by Kimberley Moore Media |
At twenty-four actor Nicholaus Linton is
amazingly is able to span the gamut of the role and make sense of the
complexity of the understandings of Guy a man a number of years his senior.
All actors wear their characters like a
second skin with stand out work by Kimberly May Moore as Sam, the first
relationship examined. Ainsley Winter
plays a very relaxed and seductive Tyler.
Felicity Haebich Legg exudes Lindsey’s imperious confidence in a role
that is a great contrast to her character of a Muse in Mt Players recent
production of Xanadu.
However the costuming of this academic
character Lindsay stands out as not quite right. This is a very small issue but through the
eyes of a person who lived through the era Lindsay looks more like an Airhostess
than a Professor of, the progressive for the era, Gender Studies.
Molly Harris delightfully embodies the
wacky slightly insecure off beat Reggie. And Rosemary Cokin makes a great fist
of the self-reliant Bobbi to cap off the evening.
Director Neil Coulson quite obviously has a
very clear insight into the material. It
would appear that he has taken his cast on a well-managed discerning journey to
achieve really solid and convincing outcomes.
All actors seem at home on stage and comfortable in the skin of their
characters. One feels the Director has
truly appreciated their work in rehearsal, and they are confident in presenting
something delightfully insightful to their audience.
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| Photo by Kimberley Moore Media |
The work is very even and clearly honors
what the writer is trying to convey.
As my first visit to Boilerhouse – I was especially
impressed.
Suzanne Sandow
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