Last night I attended Therry’s preview performance of “A Shortcut to Happiness”. The performance with regard to both technical and stagecraft matters was faultless. The small review audience was receptive, amused and well entertained. Things look positive for the play’s run over the next 10 days until the 20th April.
Playwright Roger Hall’s comedy of “mature manners” is deftly directed by Kerrin White who has the benefit of a most experienced and talented cast at his disposal. The set (designed by Don Oswald) is both nicely functional and easy on the eye. The hall interior and Ned’s living-room both are recognisable visual statements and nurture the proceedings. The playing areas are brightly and timely lit by Richard Parkhill. I was taken by the sound design and in particular the incidental music in scene changes all under the control of Sean Smith. Costuming by Sandy Faithfull and Gillian Cordell is also a standout. But the technical “star” of the piece is without question the vibrant and varied choreography by Rose Vallen. Dance is the connective tissue throughout this play.
Newish Russian immigrant Natasha places an advertisement for dance classes which attracts a group of six. They are all at or over retirement age. Ned (Lindsay Dunn) is a widower of some seven months. He is specifically seeking an activity to keep his mental acuity on track. Lindsay projects the mild, well mannered and gentlemanly Ned to perfection. He has some astute observations, not the least of which gives rise to his most amusing reference to fellow Seniors’ proclivity for discount. He delivers his lines with precise timing. Indeed, timely delivery from each member of cast is a hallmark of this production.
Coral (Julie Quick) is unashamedly on the hunt for a man in her life. Julie successfully manages to convey this with a suitably sufficient veneer of subtlety. She plays her as an open book character, Julie’s Coral is both likeable and appealing. What you see is what you get.
Friends Janet (Gigi Jeffers) who is married and Laura (Deborah Walsh) who like Coral is single and available, share a history of golfing holidays and bridge. Both actors have their characters playing off each other as we expect old mates to do. Even after a holiday deception that causes some tension, their friendship remains steadfast. Gigi and Deborah both deliver performances exuding human warmth with professional ease.
Bev and Ray are a married couple. Well and truly! Bev (Sue Wylie) calls every shot and literally barks orders at downtrodden husband Ray (Greg Janzow). He simply doesn’t get a single word in! Ray does however, display a wee rush of blood in the final scene so we know there is life there! Sue’s vocal delivery and articulation is loud and clear. We understand why Ray is….well, Ray! Frank Cwiertniak has a brief but telling cameo as Sebastian. Frank’s smooth and seemingly urbane manner is perfectly placed to appeal to all the women in the dance group, including a startlingly rampant Bev! What a cad he is!
Shelley Crooks as Natasha pretty much steals the show. Her Moscovian accent is consistently delivered and she affects the immigrant’s difficulty with a new idiom to great effect. Shelley’s Natasha and Lindsay’s Ned work seamlessly as a stage duo. Their scenes together are perfectly polished with regard to their mutual stagecraft. They were an easy watch. In addition I must comment on Shelley’s lovely singing voice.
This interesting little group heads to Ned’s place for refreshments after each weekly dance session. Their friendships bloom despite some interpersonal rivalry along their journey. They attempt to explore and maybe fulfil perceived missing links to personal happiness. At the end of the dance who will succeed?
As stated above the show presents very smoothly, my only quibble being the time taken between some of the scene changes. I am aware costume changes take time and am sure this will become more streamlined in subsequent performances. “A Shortcut to Happiness” is funny and warm and very human with its array of recognisable characters. It makes for an easy and rewarding theatre experience. I liked it a lot!
