Image: Gary Marsh Photography
Set in modern-day England, still curiously riven by class divides, socialite Paige Janssen throws a dinner party in honour of the success of her husband Lars’ latest philosophical work. The guest list has been carefully assembled, the menu cryptically considered and an obedient waiter hired. A deep fog swirls outside, leading to frazzled and dramatic entrances for each guest, as they seek refuge from the damp obscurity.
While artist Wynne arrives on her bicycle, she has just split from her politician partner, Bob, throwing the guest list awry. Old friend Hal arrives with his young wife, Sian, the newly-weds a contrasting couple but already at ease with public sniping. The meal is interrupted by the arrival of Mike, a van driver who has crashed in the fog, who is persuaded to join their celebrations. With the meal’s progress, lies are told, secrets revealed and curious asides are made, while each course laid on the table raises more questions than answers. An abrupt change of perspective comes in the closing moments, leaving the audience gasping in its wake.
Brilliant casting by director Kate Cherry allows each character to serve up their own interpretation of events. Themes are tackled with gusto, as conflict reigns throughout. Class warfare, spousal conflict, generational divides and philosophical differences are all aired in an accessible manner, rendered highly entertaining but leaving echoes for later consideration at leisure.
Excellent acting by all cast members brings this script to life. Tasma Walton is accurate with Paige’s acerbic nihilism and gorgeous self-possession, which Stuart Halusz counters admirably with Mike’s laconic humour and controlled physicality. Rebecca Davis’s Sian is deliberately, provocatively abrasive and yet so outrageous that it is impossible not to like her. Hal takes on dimensions beyond farce with Greg McNeill’s interpretation bringing despairing, failed ambitions to his role. The light flirtation between Steve Turner as Lars and Alison van Reeken’s Wynne shines a light on the self-delusions of both characters, and works as a distinct counterpoint to the fractious interactions within each married couple. Kenneth Ransom creates an anonymous lack of presence as the waiter, simply following his orders throughout.
Trent Suidgeest combines his roles of set and lighting designer to use huge screens which allow for a sense of external light and space, while limiting the stage area and its claustrophobic intensity as Paige’s conceptual meal unfolds. The three female roles rejoice in beautiful dresses, designed particularly for their characters in this production, making the revolving stage a catwalk as much as a catfight, at times.
An enjoyable dinner party, much better to spectate than to attend, with its inedible “food” and cutting interactions between guests. Black Swan State Theatre Company have served up a real treat, providing plenty of tasty food for audience reflection.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Dinner
By Moira Buffini
Presented by Black Swan Theatre Company
Director: Kate Cherry
Set & Lighting Designer: Trent Suidgeest
Costume & Props: India Mehta
Sound Design / Composer: Ash Gibson Greig
Voice Coach: Luzita Feraday
Fight Director: Andy Fraser
Dress designers: Alvin Fernandez of Ae’lkemi, Sheree Dornan of Love in Tokyo and Michelle Tindale of Tindale
Stage Manager: Peter Sutherland
Performed by Rebecca Davis, Stuart Halusz, Greg McNeill, Kenneth Ransom, Steve Turner, Alison van Reeken and Tasma Walton
Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre of WA, Northbridge
14-29 March 2015
