BWW Reviews: EMERALD CITY is an incredible piece of theatre that captures the greed of the 80's in the Harbour City.

Saturday 1 November 2014, SBW Stables Theatre, Kings Cross, NSW

The Griffin Theatre Company's production of David Williamson's EMERALD CITY is an amazing piece of theatre that captures the complexity of surviving in 1980's Sydney beautifully. Lee Lewis' cast of Mitchell Butel, Jennifer Hagen, Lucy Bell, Ben Winspear, Kelly Paterniti and Gareth Yuen, combined with Sophie Fletcher's costumes, Ken Done's set, including a huge panorama of is iconic bright artwork, Kelly Ryall's music and Luiz Pampolha's lighting all work together to bring Williamson's work to life. The audience is transported with ease to a place where they feel like they are sitting in the family living room and eavesdropping in on the lives of Colin and Kate, recently relocated from Melbourne, and the challenges they face in the "Emerald City of Oz".

Mitchell Butel, as the central character, Colin, a more serious scriptwriter being seduced by fortune and success, is a standout. He delivers depth and range of emotion without ever overdoing it and his performance is fluid. Whilst every word is Williamson's it comes across as spontaneous and Butel's variety in cadence and intonation ensure that the audience is hanging on his every word. His subtle mannerism reinforce Colin's character, from the loving caress of his wife Kate's (Lucy Bell) hand to the awkwardness of social gatherings and his body language throughout reinforces his dialogue without becoming a caricature or appearing contrived. Lucy Bell is a good match for Butel with the two having an ease and chemistry and her dialogue is sincere and never appears forced.

Ben Winspear, delivers Mike, the hack writer and entrepreneur, as a bit rough around the edges with the greed and determination and questionable ethics synonymous with the 1980's Australian go getter. The audience would never know that Winspear was a late addition to the cast if it were not mentioned in the programme. Mike's shallowness is reflected in his choice of partner, Helen, portrayed by Kelly Paterniti as a little airhead that that is seen more for her beauty than her brains.

Jennifer Hagan presents Colin's agent/producer Elaine as a more mature, somewhat cynical business woman with power suits, portfolio and ever present drink. Her posh, disinterested, dry tone creates the aura of someone that has been in the business for a while and knows what the city holds, good and bad, and is a good counter for Colin's eagerness to succeed his way. Merchant Banker, Malcolm, played by Gareth Yuen is another corporate power player and whilst Elaine is used to represent the industry, Malcolm portrays a more general corporate greed.

The actors all play their parts to a very high standard and everything flows with ease and understanding and realness. Unlike other small venue performances, these actors are not artificially amplified, which adds to the intimacy and shows their skill to convey even the quietest words and variances. They also talk direct to the audience at times, drawing them in to the story and connecting with them which is a nice change to the usual acting to the exits that occurs, even in other small venues.

The stage is set between two banks of audience, allowing the performance to take place down the middle of the theatre with the stage being able to be divided into different areas by character location and lighting, with even some dialogue taking place when a character was "in another room". The costuming and set place the story easily in the 80's, from pleat front pants, linen jackets, double breasted suits, shoulder pads, lycra, scrunchies, modular furniture, glass top chrome desks and Ken Done's artwork.

EMERALD CITY is a must see for anyone interested in fine Australian theatre, both from the point of view of David Williamson's script, and the outstanding production. It has a good blend of humour as well as providing a snapshot of upper to middle class ambition that is still as relevant as it was in January 1987, when it was first performed by the Sydney Theatre Company and is delivered with ease, sincerity, conviction and understanding.

Griffin Theatre Company, SBW Stables Theatre

17 October -6 December 2014

Parramatta Riverside, Lennox Theatre

10-13 December 2014

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