The play is directed by Kylie Bonaccorso and as she says in her notes she spent quite a bit of her childhood staring into a fish bowl watching the relationships and interactions between her fish. So, when she read this she immediately related to it. The play is about the relationship between two characters, the wealthy well connected employer, Ms Asquith (Sarah Farmer) and her secretary, Miss Riverton (Hailey McQueen). At the start of the play it is obvious that Ms Asquith is the dominant character. Then slowly you learn that not everything in Ms Asquith's life is as good as the she makes it appear. She maybe well connected but she is divorced and her own son wants little to do with her, leaving her all alone on a Friday night. She invites Miss Riverton to spend the night with her tippifiying her vulnerability. Over a glass or two of wine the tables begin to turn as Miss Riverton reveals her darker side. Ms Asquith is completely spooked and suddenly sees everything in a different light including the music. To round the play off though Elaine May ends the evening with Ms Asquith back to her domineering self but you are still left with just that slight doubt that things in the future could go horribly wrong.
The production itself is very simple. It all takes place in Ms Asquith's office. The only time there is music is during the evening where the most innocent classical pieces take on sinister undertones. Even the lighting is very subtle there is one point where the stages is darken and that is it. The most outstanding part of this production is not only the dialogue but the two actors. Sarah's performance reminded me of Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde. Her facial expressions told much of the story without Sarah actually having to speak. Hailey also played her role to perfection. The two together seemed very comfortable as if they had really been working together for years.
For the Sydney Fringe this was a quality show and one that I think most people would enjoy.
For more information and tickets head to www.sydneyfringe.com
