My Old Lady

Israel Horovitz is a writer who clearly believes in the stabilising force of destiny. He brings together characters who are incongruously placed in some very unusual social circumstances. He overturns a range of notions that would dictate social decorum to prioritise a human instinct to naturally form bonds with those whose shared history and connections cannot be denied. In fact, this is depicted as holistically healing and gratifying.

This production indulges these aspects of the story to highlight the sexism, ageism and ableism that the text seeks to overturn. When Mathias 'Jim' Gold (George Werther) arrives at the Paris home of Mathilde Girard (Lindy Yeates) and Chloé Girard (Julie Arnold) the outcome of the encounter is surprising, despite the seemingly predictable nature of the narrative.

Yeates gives Mathilde a truly endearing quality and is able to convey both the wisdom and wry sarcasm that age and experience permits. Yeates embraces the characters age and works closely with the text to overturn expectations of her role given the character's advanced years and gender. Arnold captures the frustrated spinster aspects of her role and Werther plays the dishevelled Jim to the fullest. The required chemistry between Jim and Chloé needs to materialise more in order for the outcome to be more exhilarating and the subversion of expectations to have their full effect.

The stage design is beautifully evocative of the setting and the attention to detail provides a wonderful and indulgent backdrop to the story. The performances deliberately do not romanticise the characters and this is in good keeping with the down to earth tone of the play. The references to issues of ageing, depression and suicide are treated with honesty and directness and allows the production to conduct an interesting and intriguing study of character. 

Patricia Di Risio 

Photographer: David Belton