October 2016

 

Director Brian Godfrey and his cast have done well to draw this quirky little comedy together. Michael Jacobs’ script is pretty wordy and slow moving during the establishment phase of Act 1, and only really gets going in the second Act when the anticipated embarrassing face-off unravels.

 

The plot concerns two couples’ mutual infidelity and the irony of the love of their children for each other. The central issues of life-long commitment and the questions that raises are thoroughly canvassed, all within the apparently contrasting framework of both serious dialogue and light farce. For much of the play there is not much natural chemistry between these characters and all players captured that.

 

Andrew Clark played Sam with his accustomed skill and subtlety, credibly showing in turns both insecurity and amorous zeal. Anita Canala succeeded as Grace. She maintained the right balance in dealing with her conflicted feelings for both Sam and her husband, Howard. Lindsay Dunn was a self-obsessed and intolerant Howard, and Sharyn De Zolt had some good moments as the flamboyant and wilful Monica, Sam’s wife. She had some of the plays best gags and delivered them confidently, but her drunken sequence was less convincing.

 

As the young couple, Simon Lancione did well to show Allen’s insecurity and soul-searching, while Brittany Daw was a charming, nicely understated and sincere Michelle.

 

All this took place within Kym Clayton’s simple, well-crafted set which used the available space of the Domain Theatre stage to good effect.

 

 

 

anita Canala and Andrew Clark in rhearsal for Cheaters