Review: Love, Lust, And Lies Come Together In The Search For THE REAL THING

Thursday 8th October 2015, 7:30pm New Theatre, Newtown

Blurring the lines of "reality" and "art", Tom Stoppard's THE REAL THING looks at one man's doubt as to if true love exists, and whether he has found it. New Theatre's latest production of this work, under the direction of Alice Livingston, shows that love, lust, commitment and infidelity are timeless subjects, still as relevant now as it was when first staged in 1982.

This text driven work is set predominantly in lounge rooms, differentiated by a drinks trolley, record player, and changing throw cushions. Sharina Matthews keeps the set simple with geometric white timber features on the backlit semi-opaque walls, a Persian rug and Ikea sofa and coffee table.

The premise of THE REAL THING is that playwright Henry (Christopher Tomkinson) has written a work, "House of Cards", about an unfaithful wife being caught in a lie only to have his own infidelity exposed. As he moves in with his lover Henry explores his understanding of love, commitment, relationships and trust. Henry's first wife, Charlotte (Emily Weare) is the lead in his play, acting opposite friend Max (Peter Eyers) who is in 'reality' married to Annie (Ainslie McGlynn), Henry's lover.

Whilst the initial distinction between actors Eyers and Weare playing actors, performing the Henry's play within Stoppard's play is unclear, once Max exposes Annie's infidelity the work becomes more understandable. Eyers differentiates the character in Henry's play and Max by the pace and tone of delivery and Weare matches Eyers' wooden performance in Henry's play but thankfully presents Charlotte with a more fluid style.

Tomkinson captures the intelligent Henry with clear, confident delivery demonstrating his serious side along with playfulness as he interacts with Annie. He gives Henry a blind faith in his loving trust in Annie's fidelity, ignoring the fact that she had been unfaithful to Max in the first place. Henry's interaction with rebellious daughter Debbie (Charlotte Hazzard) softens his character, showing a more caring side, not driven by lust but wanting to protect his child. McGlynn presents Annie as a colder character who takes whatever she wants regardless of commitments and vows and needs to be the centre of attention regardless of whether she is hurting people she claims to love.

Benjamin Winckle portrays the dual role of Billy, the young man acting opposite Annie in an out of town play, and Brodie, the imprisoned young man Annie seeks to help get released. His presentation of the two characters is distinct ensuring that there is no confusion. He gives Billy a mischievous youthfulness as the young actor falls for his older leading lady. As Brodie, he captures the ex-prisoner's obnoxiousness as he shows his ungratefulness towards Annie and Henry.

Whilst Henry's examination of 'what is love' and whether he has found 'the real thing' with Annie in the first half of the play is interesting, the storyline in the second half is annoying in the way the audience is supposed to ignore the fact that both Henry and Annie were unfaithful to end up in their current marriage. It is hard to feel sorry for Henry as Annie becomes interested in co-star Billy and as we see 'life' imitate 'art' Annie becomes even more unlikable.

Whilst THE REAL THING does deal with the eternal question of 'what is love?' the continued cycles of dishonesty, greed, and lust displayed potentially prove that it doesn't exist.

THE REAL THING

New Theatre, 542 King Street Newtown

6 October - 7 November 2015

Photos: Bob Seary

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