Park Theatre 14 July – 6 August. Reviewed by Claire Roderick
Newly engaged Guy sets off on a trip across the US to revisit ex-girlfriends he feels “responsible” for. As any sane man would.
Makes you squirm just thinking about it, and Neil LaBute’s brilliantly observed script continuously ratchets up the squirm intensity to wonderful comic effect. The pauses and looks from the impressive cast are played to perfection. The women on Guy’s list are a varied bunch – high school sweetheart, wild sexual adventuress, older married woman and college sweetheart. Each meeting takes place in a hotel room in a different city – signalled by travelogue projections and stagehands dressed as maids “servicing” the room, changing furniture configurations and artwork with dance like efficiency. In a lovely touch by designer PJ McEvoy, which didn’t hit me until the final scene, the décor matches the women’s costumes.
The awkwardness of each encounter is played beautifully by the entire cast. As Sam, Elly Condron is full of hysterical, twitchy, underlying resentment that comes rushing out when Guy gives his reasons for leaving her; Roxanne Pallett makes the most of the showiest role as Tyler, but reigns it in to shine in the quieter, confessional moments of the encounter. Carolyn Backhouse is almost regal as Lindsay, the woman Guy abandoned when their affair was discovered. Their scene plays out almost as a trial, with prosecution wiping the floor with his defence and sentencing him to very sweet justice. Carley Stenson’s Bobbi is the woman that may be the love of Guy’s life. Stenson allows the fluctuating emotions and frustration to flicker subtly, making her outbursts more powerful and moving as she is the only woman who manages to see the real Guy.
Charles Dorfman as Guy is simply wonderful. He manages to make the character likeable, even when the audience is gasping at the sheer idiocy and selfishness of his words. His reactions as he carries out Lindsay’s “punishment” are fantastic – like a 12-year-old being made to clean his room. As Guy is reeling off psychobabble explanations straight from Dr Phil, but full of self-regard, Dorfman makes it clear that Guy is acting a role. His motivation remains unclear until the (shocking) end of the play – penitence, sadism, masochism? When all is revealed, there is a moment of hope, but will Guy return to type – full of empty promises for a wonderful future that he will never deliver?
Director Gary Condes continues his fine work with Buckland Theatre Company with this polished and provocative production. LaBute’s play produces gasps and laughs in equal measure, exploring the darker side of relationships with a deft hand. If you only see one play this month – make it Some Girl(s).