Labour of Love

Kym Clayton has selected a very timely piece with Labour of Love, given that Australia is in the thick of pre-election mode. Spanning the years 1990 to 2017 in the United Kingdom, author James Graham, through the eyes of politician David Lyons, explores the machinations of politics, elections, belonging and political expedience. His foil, Jean Whittaker brings the moral conscience, challenging Lyons at every turn for his focus on electability by juxtaposing her unswerving incorruptibility and passion for the Labour party, the champion of the working classes, and in her opinion, the party that will best serve the nation.

Lana Adamuszek as Jean Whittaker and Stephen Bills as David Lyons are beautifully matched as sparring opponents. Rarely leaving the stage except to make subtle, well thought out costume tweaks designed by Rosemary Taylor and Anna Siebert, they carry the bulk of past-paced, sometimes witty and provoking dialogue with confidence, skill and assuredness. Both are very good in their roles.

Adamuszek is a force to be reckoned with. Her Mancunian accent is very believable, and importantly, understandable, whilst Lyons is portrayed as having an accent described as the upper-class King’s English, a source of annoyance for Jean who initially does not believe that David deserves or is right as the local Member of Parliament. Larry Waller and Sophie Waller both sport convincing local accents, cementing their characters as being the right person in the right place.

Celebrated theatre stalwart Don Oakley and his construction team have created a shabby, well-worn office for Lyons that stretches across the proscenium arch, underlining how ‘out of place’ Lyons is. The office does not change, but the eras do with five eras being visited in reverse order, for both of the acts. This is thoughtfully linked with video clips created by Ben Todd, that bring the audience important context. At over three hours, the play would benefit from some judicious editing for those seated in the warm, welcoming St Jude’s Hall, but where the seats are somewhat spartan.

The pace is swift and confident but the dialogue is unswervingly pitched at a loud, somewhat fraught level. Bills is given the challenge of winning sympathy, and more gentleness, light and shade in the delivery would aid this. Clayton has achieved believable consistency with most of the characters, but Anita Zamberlan Canala as Lyons ‘on and off', unsympathetic upper-class wife, somewhat stands apart, her languid drifting across the stage while delivering dialogue being somewhat distracting, her characterisation being somewhat ‘over the top’. Having said that, she looks and sounds the part. Jacob Ding tackles the unenviable, possibly unnecessary role of Mr Shen with enthusiasm and Larry and Sophie Waller make the most of every minute on stage.

St Jude’s is a welcoming theatre company that responds consistently to their loyal audiences. Labour of Love is an opportunity for audiences to chuckle and see that despite the truth of the old saying, ‘No matter who you vote for, you get a politician’, it can be challenged by the reality of genuine and passionate people wanting to do their best.

Jude Hines