“Even a dead cat will bounce if it falls from a great height”, So Gabe (Josh Quong Tart), the tormented, addicted writer will need to get off the booze if he wants to get a life with his new, half-his-age girlfriend Matilda (Kate Cheel) and move on from the fractured relationship with his ex, Angela (Lucia Mastrantone). Angela’s new partner Tony (Johnny Nasser) would like to see Gabe out of their lives too. It is a very, very familiar story.
This is a small cast naturalistic drama on a contemporary theme. It is a well-structured play; well-acted and well-directed (Mitchell Butel) and well-designed for Griffin’s challenging space. But is all this wellness enough? If we are going to this oft-visited place, this everyday, messy story of addiction and romance, then shouldn’t we be exploring our world in ways which give a fresh perspective? But apart from some witty dialogue, the play feels a little clichéd; a bit of a soap opera. I know these people. I think I have been one; but as the play offers no new insights I feel only that this is tired territory. And not territory I want to re-visit. Even on Netflix.
Each member of the small ensemble gives their best, finding nuances in character which help define their roles. There is good energy between the actors, chasing down their respective issues; the women trying to wean themselves from the addictive nature of love (if “love” it can be called), the men trying to deal with their “neediness”. Perhaps it is the all too familiar sense of been there / done that which tends to underscore the troughs of slow pace. There is wit which enlivens at times but the sense of nothing to be seen here lingers.
New Australian work should be given all the support possible, and kudos to Griffin for always searching out and giving that support to such work. I think the question we all need to be asking however, is the support directed into a very narrow concept of theatrical style? This is not television. It does not need to play out like television drama.
Kate Stratford, Theatre Now Sydney
