Life x 3

Thrice is nice as dinner party disaster is served up

WHAT would happen if everyone arrived 24 hours early for a dinner party?

That’s the question posed in Life x 3, an amusing commentary on vanity, professional insecurity and the changing states of marriage at the Old Mill Theatre (WA) from August 11 – 20, 2011.

Written by French playwright Yasmin Reza (Art, God of Carnage) and directed by Eliot McCann, the play is described as a comedy of errors from three different angles.

“In Life x 3, we see the same situation presented from three different perspectives, giving three differing outcomes,” McCann said.

“This sheds different lights on how people interact in a social setting and under stress. 

“I hope the audience will recognise some of their own lives within the play and they empathise with the characters on three differing levels.”

McCann wanted to direct Life x 3, after finding the opening scene particularly resonant.

“At the time I was asked to submit the play, my wife Jenny and I were struggling to get our youngest to go to sleep,” he said.

“Given this is the immediate predicament of two of the show's protagonists, I felt an immediate connection with the play and was sold from there.”

With more than 20 years’ experience in Perth theatre, McCann most recently appeared as Salieri in Amadeus at the Old Mill Theatre.

He says the main challenge with Life x 3 is to make his cast of four not to appear as if they are “acting”.

“They need to react in manner that is as close to real life as possible, while keeping the show entertaining,” McCann said.


“I have managed to secure a talented cast, who will certainly form a very cohesive ensemble.”

Life x 3 plays at 8pm, August 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19 and 20 with a 2pm matinee August 14.

Book on 9367 8719 or oldmilltheatre@iinet.net.au.

The heritage-listed Old Mill Theatre is on Mends Street, South Perth, opposite the Windsor Hotel.

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