BWW Reviews: DAYLIGHT SAVING, a look at the challenge of holding on to summer(s) filled with laughs, loves and longing.
By: Jade Kops Nov. 19, 2014
Tuesday 18th November 2014, 8pm, Eternity Playhouse, Darlinghurst NSW
Darlinghurst Theatre Company is the latest theatre company to re-stage the work of Nick Enright, this time with the clever and humorous DAYLIGHT SAVING. Director Adam Cook brings new life to this work that, in covering the challenges of careers, relationships, desire and "wanting it all", remains as relevant today as it was when it was first staged in 1989.
Production Designer Hugh O'Connor's set of a trendy waterside apartment is attractively dressed with retro Danish furniture and the intimate space of Eternity Playhouse brings the audience into the living room to feel like they are looking in on the lives of the occupants, not distanced by a traditional raised stage. The costuming draws on sterotypes of the era with pleat fronted pants, white shoes, lycra leggings, and bright colours. Nate Edmondson's sound design helps set the time with a catchy soundtrack that welcomes the audience and fills the interval but is a little overbearing during scene changes. The possums in the roof are however a nice touch to help place the setting as the leafy northern beaches suburb of Pittwater.
Rachel Gordon, as the restaurateur Felicity (Flick), presents a relatable, likable character juggling a marriage of two successful people, highly strung employees, an ever present mother, a narcissistic neighbour, an old flame and a wish for a more fulfilled life. Even with the play being set in 1989, Felicity's situation and issues are still relevant as women still desire the dream job, the perfect apartment, the successful husband and whilst everything looks perfect "on paper", life isn't as simple as it appears and often, as with Felicity, people want to hold onto memories of happier days. Her internal conflicts are displayed through her expressions, vocal tone and body language well.
Felicity's sports manager husband Tom Finn (Christopher Stollery) is presented as career driven and fully absorbed by his client, Jason Strutt (Jacob Warner). Stollery presents Tom as a stereotypical high power manager glued to a phone and focused on winning the international contract for his client, neglecting his marriage. Warner portrays Jason as a young sporting brat that absorbs Tom's full attention. Warner creates the egotistical neurotic terror well, capturing the idiosyncrasies that have become synonymous with not only sports professionals but the general current era fitness fanatic.
Belinda Giblin's Bunty, Felicity's society mother provides some hilarious physical comedy and Helen Dallimore as neighbour Stephanie's ability to continue her self-absorbed rant, oblivious to the others in the room and blonde bimbo act is priceless.
Ian Stenlake, as Felicity's high school sweetheart, Joshua Makepeace, in town from America provides the key source of Felicity's dilemma. Stenlake presents Joshua as a bit of a caricature of the stereotypical demonstrative American with great physical comedy and little quirks but with a hard to place accent. Stenlake is at his best in the more thoughtful moments when heartfelt truths are unveiled as his gentle, caring expression of emotion comes across as the most sincere of the moments of the performance.
Enright's words are clever and are met with roars of laughter and ensure that the pace is kept quick. The few references to icons of the era when the play was written are still recognisable enough to gain recognition from the audience and the plot line is such that the audience can recognise the traits and issues of the characters as either something they've experienced themselves or they've seen in people around them. We've all wanted to "have it all" at some point. We've all wanted to hold onto the past and what we thought were happier times as some stage. The ethical dilemma of wanting something to fill a void but knowing you shouldn't remain a continuing problem. The challenge of balancing career and personal life remains a constant question for people today as it was in 1989.
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS is a light hearted look at the life of a successful Sydney wife whilst providing a deeper study loneliness and longing that a seemingly perfect life can throw up. Whilst a perfect night out for audiences wanting a fun filled night out, it also presents a great opportunity to see an Australian written play with an underlying examination of loneliness and holding onto time whether it be the most recent summer, or one long gone.
Eternity Playhouse
31 October - 30 November 2014.
Photo: Frank Farrugia
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