This is an extract of about 17 minutes from a dark
comedy by Debbie Issit, written in the 1990s. The play has been edited to suit
the needs of the group. The style of the performance is fast moving, episodic,
and makes very effective use of lighting, set and sound design.
The play is
set in the 1970s and contains three characters: Kenneth, Hilary and Laura. Kenneth
and Hilary were married almost twenty years when Ken fell in love with Laura. Laura is young, attractive and a free spirit but
cannot cook. Eventually, Kenneth yearns for the stable life he has left behind. The extract opens at the point where Ken and Laura
have accepted Hilary’s offer of coming over for dinner, but then there is an
analepsis as the action jumps back to where Kenneth and Laura meet each other.
The performance space is well designed and creates
an engaging stage picture, which
is well lit. A
particularly sensitive aspect is the way that the dining table does not
dominate the sightlines but quickly becomes the focus of the opening scene of
the dinner party, following Hilary’s
powerful monologue,
played by Candidate 1, which gives a very
strong opening to the piece. She plays
the role very well and shows excellent vocal and physical timing throughout. The lighting
changes are very effective, both here and throughout.
The conversation at the table emphasises the
absurdity of the situation as Hilary moves around the table while the other two
remain seated. The pickups on the timing
here are excellent and lead seamlessly into a movement-based transition, which
allow Kenneth (not assessed) to deliver his solo lines to become the first
flashback to the disco scene.
Candidate 2, playing
Laura, has excellent characterisation and is very strong in the movement sequence. Although not quite as finessed as Candidate 1, who is playing Hilary. This becomes more
effective as the orchestral movement provides an underscore for the developing
romance between Laura and Kenneth.
At around 4 minutes a new section begins as Candidate 2 as Laura, delivers her lines on the trampoline,
somewhat breathlessly. The duologue
between Candidate 1 playing Hilary and Kenneth is
very well delivered and Candidate 1 demonstrates excellent physical control.
At around 6 minutes there is a duologue between Hilary and Laura, which culminates
in a very well-handled section where the character Laura reveals that she and Kenneth have been having an affair for some time.
The contrasts in body language between the two is excellent and provides a
strong contrast with the ensuing duologue between Kenneth and Laura.
Candidate 2’s performance as Laura, in the following duologue captures the
eccentricity in her portrayal and communicates well the changing dynamics
between the three characters. This is picked up expertly by Candidate 1 in her
delivery of Hilary’s dialogue and the next section alternates well between the
two candidates. Both performers are vocally and physically secure although Candidate 1 playing Hilary, has a stronger natural
flair and fluidity throughout.
At around 14 minutes, the flashbacks lead naturally
back to the dining table where Kenneth is to be poisoned and there is a highly
effective comic ‘keeling-over’ as he drops to the floor, bringing the tablecloth
crashing behind him. This leads into the
final duologue between Hilary played
by Candidate 1 and
Laura played by Candidate 2 as to how they
should dispose of Kenneth’s body. The
ending movement sequence brings the dark comedy of the piece to a conclusion.
Overall,
this is an excellent performance, with slick transitions and with a soundtrack
that is used effectively supporting the action and mood. The piece is well-structured
and rehearsed and there is clear differentiation of the character’s
physicality, pacing and tone. Occasionally it is difficult to know when they
have gone back in time, but this does not hinder the fluidity or understanding
of the plot for the audience.
