Cherish

Cherish is a play centred around two gay couples who, in their efforts to achieve a comfortable ideal, only succeed in creating a mass of complications. Set in an unnamed location, the characters’ long-standing relationships are tested by love, loyalty and self-interest.

The two females are Jess and Maeve, who in turn have each had a child by Tom. However, Tom, who is in a long-running relationship with the older William, would like a child of his own, with Jess willing to be the surrogate mother. Surrogate motherhood, however, can have its own challenges.

The inevitable complications arise when Jess announces that she wants to keep the child. Her relationship with Maeve is also compromised when Jess, unsure of her sexual identity, decides to have a relationship with another man. Meanwhile, Tom and William’s relationship comes under strain as Tom, in his anger over Jess’s decision to keep the new baby, decides he wants to have partial custody of his two girls by Jess and Maeve.

In a very wordy play, the actors make this entanglement believable. Ally Cockrell as Jess gives a strong performance as the long-suffering surrogate mother, confused by her future and her identity. It is her first time on the Rondo stage but she looks at ease as an actor.

Alisha Clark as Maeve is also very comfortable in her role. Alisha handles the frustrations and torment felt by Maeve superbly as her world crumbles around her. Always strong, with a good stage presence, Alisha shines in the role.

Jim Gosden as William is the old guy with money who just wants a peaceful life with Tom. With his money and his legal brain he can acquire most things in life, but Tom’s demands are proving a challenge. This was good work by Jim who is a tried and tested performer of many a production. He looks the part and filled the role perfectly.   

Finally, as Tom, Dale Schulz is the human cyclone whose wants and needs impinge on all the characters. This is not an easy role but one in which Dale was up for the challenge. He does a fine job in handling such a demanding character.

The play moves smoothly through fourteen scene changes and was very well directed by experienced director Lynn Cropp. The play is drama by the bucket load and is well worth watching for the surprise ending.

Ken Cotterill   

Image: From L to R  Alicia Clark, Dale Schultz (keeling) Ally Cockrell and Jim Godsen.