A short study of marriage breakdown and the consequent fallout. The strong, committed performances lift this 90-minute play from fairly interesting to really good.Rating
Good
Two marriages, alike in their drifting, in small town USA set the scene, although it could be anywhere really. Derailment is on the horizon for both as a result of one person from each partnership having an illicit relationship with each other, or perhaps they have not been quite as discreet as they thought.
We are first introduced to Cathy (Emma Baker) and David (Samuel Greco) by way of video diary snippets; quite cute at first but then the saccharine starts to become a little bit unpalatable. Next, David and Beth (Emily Serdahl) who have been ‘making out’ in the back of cars and need to decide upon next steps. Beth’s husband Brad (T’ai Hartley) gives us a glimpse of his personality during a pitch-side interaction with David, then we see Brad and Beth together, tensions simmering.
Exploring relationships, romance and desire, this one act play could very easily become a bit mawkish and boring. Not so in this production. The high quality of the performances ensure the characters have depth and remain believable throughout the ninety minutes. Baker’s Cathy starts happy-go-lucky and perhaps a bit naive but then reveals a hidden strength. Greco’s David is self-centred and childish but manages to step up in the end. Serdahl conveys Beth’s unhappiness and frustration whilst still wanting to do the right thing. Hartley plays Brad to perfection: crude and obnoxious with a likeable vulnerability peeping through. All four work well together highlighting and drawing out the different personality traits without becoming caricatures.
Co-directors Peter Todd and Eleanor Dunlop do a great job of making full use of the limited space and props. They do not shy away from periods of silence which complement the dialogue and ensure moments of humour are sprinkled throughout. The occasional short video clips add interest and give an insight into Cathy and David’s relationship; they help foster a feeling of intimacy as they are the kind of videos you would really only watch with family or close friends, whether they are interested or not. The style of acting is perfect for the small space where each nuance can be seen and heard, drawing the audience in.
Whilst the play is fairly interesting, nothing much happens really and the subject matter is not new. It is the production as a whole, in particular the excellent cast, bringing the characters to life and thereby lifting the script which made the experience all the more enjoyable
Written by: Craig Wright
Directed by: Peter Todd and Eleanor Dunlop
Producer: Mina Moniri
Produced by: Scar Theatre Company
Orange Flower Water plays at the Old Red Lion Pub & Playhouse until Sunday 22 February.
