The Odd Couple – The Female Version

Just about everyone knows Neil Simon’s original version of The Odd Couple, with its grumpy male protagonists, so it is a treat to see something a bit different, the female version. What’s more, it works and Blackwood Players have produced a very enjoyable staging of this twist on the iconic storyline, predominantly due to the fantastic performance of one actor in particular.

In this version the main characters are laidback, untidy, straight talking Olive Madison and Olive’s neurotic, obsessively clean, hypochondriac friend Florence Unger. After Florence’s marriage breaks down Olive, herself estranged from a husband, allows Florence to move in with her. But the arrangement is soon fraught with personality clashes as well as hilarious, often fiery upsets.

Amy Neumann is a standout as Olive. Her experience shows. This is an actor who will do well here in Adelaide, having moved here from her original roots and acting experience in the USA and Canada. Neumann owns every inch of the stage when present. She has great comic timing and keeps the action going at good pace. Her Bronx-style accent and swagger is perfect for Olive and she is one of the few on stage who could be heard very well in the large hall on opening night. A fine and truly show-lifting performance.

Rebecca Gardner is very good as Florence, and on opening night was especially so from halfway through the second act, when at last she dropped the pitch of her voice a bit. Interpreting the character as having a perpetual whine grated after a while in the first act. Gardner’s body language is hilarious and if her voice relaxed down in pitch a little it would enhance the performance.

Of the friends who visit frequently for Trivial Pursuit nights Kate Anolak is very convincing and funny as Sylvie, Esther Michelsen does well as Renee, Dawn Ross could dial Vera down a tad and policewoman Mickey would be funnier if she could be heard. As the policewoman, Janet Jauncey needs to project her voice in the very large hall. She could not be heard by me or others at the front row table at which I sat, so was no doubt not heard further back either. However, she was not alone; low volume afflicted most cast at times and each time it occurred, it immediately sucked energy from the overall show.

The arrival of the two Spanish speaking men for a double date with excited Olive and reluctant Florence brings delightfully fresh comedy and energy to the stage. Joshua Kerr and Luke Abraham are terrific as Jesus and Manolo, instilling endearing naivety and sweetness into these two male characters.

Director Stephanie Gonelli uses the large stage well and has done a good job of coaching unique character development from most actors. However, as per my comments further above, during the rehearsal and production period this is one venue in which directors must put intense focus on voice projection for a show to be completely successful.

It is great to see Blackwood Players go from strength to strength with sets and this is a very good one. Lighting is serviceable, and sound technicians do reasonably good work with the limited technical capabilities of the hall.

This comedy is a fun night out and I recommend you forget the cold and make a trip to Blackwood to the warm Memorial hall. It is cabaret-style table seating, so take a few friends and a basket supper, head to the bar for a wine or some snacks and sit back to enjoy a fun story and plenty of laughs.

Lesley Reed