BWW Reviews: Andrew Bovell's AFTER DINNER, A Play On Social Interaction Still Resonates 30 Years On.

Wednesday 21st January 2015, Wharf 1 Theatre, Walsh Bay NSW

On the face of it, AFTER DINNER is an amusing look at 5 middle aged singletons out for a good night out but look beneath the bright makeup and power suits and the timeless truths show along with the tragedy of their situations.

Sydney Theatre Company transports its audience in the intimate space of Wharf 1 Theatre to a 1980's pub/bistro with trompe l'oeil greenery behind planter boxes, tables dressed with pastel topped with white tablecloths and carnation centrepieces and vinyl chairs and menus. If the Alicia Clements' (Designer) set doesn't instantly scream 1980's, the rah rah skirts, polyester prints, shoulder pads and rayon will, with humorous accuracy.

The ensemble of Glen Hazeldine, Anita Hegh, Rebecca Massey, Josh McConville and Helen Thompson explore the dynamics of social groups founded on work relationships and mutual friendships. People that would not normally get together are drawn in due to power, pity, compassion, and misunderstanding. The different reasons for the basis of the relationships then flow on to the interaction between characters. Some will try to make excuses, protect, belittle or upstage, but the underlying reasons are the sad part.

Dympie(Rebecca Massey), a prudish control freak that does not seem to know how to be nice, is the loner at work that everyone makes fun of. Energetic, open minded, Paula (Anita Hegh) appears to have ended up as Dympie's friend as they are both single and Paula seems to see the best in people. Paula and Dympie invite recently widowed Monika (Helen Thomson) to join them on their regular night out based on the fact that Monika is now like them, single. Glen Hazeldine plays the lonely, recently divorced Gordon invited out for a night out "with the boys" only to find that his friend Brendon fails to show and he's left with Brendon's friend Stephen (Josh McConville) who is under the impression that the night out has the sole purpose of bedding a girl.

On the surface, AFTER DINNER highlights some of the absurdities of social habits from the women discussing going to the bathroom in pairs, splitting of the bills and guys that think they are God's gift to women. Digging deeper, it's a commentary on loneliness as each is looking for a relationship of some form. Dympie wants friends, Paula wants a boyfriend, Monika wants a fling, Stephen wants more than a one night stand and Gordon wants a family. As we get to know the group, with the aid of alcohol and other stimulants that break down the social boundaries, the veneer wears off and we learn about the people beneath the façade that they want the world to see. The restrained, respectful grieving widow isn't really grieving what you'd expect. The Ladies Man isn't necessarily the Lothario he'd have people believe. It is refreshing though, that one person does turn out to be who she wants people to see, a caring person that sees the good in people and wants her friends to be happy, even if it means she'll dance alone.

There are amusing lines and descriptions from the Monika's description of the "rockpool" she comes across, and the "rainbow of faces" that check on her over the bathroom stall wall. There are references to the era through the set, sounds and dialogue that the audience enjoyed and even though the play is set in the 1980's, many issues still resonate.

AFTER DINNER is worth seeing for its layered complexity. On the surface a simple storyline. Deeper, a story of isolation and disappointment, sexual hang ups and futile relationships.

AFTER DINNER

Wharf 1 Theatre, Walsh Bay NSW

15 January - 7 March 2015

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