The Puzzle
The State Theatre Company of South Australia have a winner on their hands with the world premiere of David Williamson’s The Puzzle!
Cruising has long been the go-to for the over fifties. As well as these sightseeing cruises, ‘lifestyle’ or swinger cruises have become popular with the younger set.
“People flock to swingers' cruises for every reason under the sun: to swing, have sexy one-on-one time with a significant other and explore wild ideas in a safe, judgment-free environment. They come from all ages, backgrounds and body types from all around the world.” (Cruise Critic)
Playwright David Williamson’s play The Puzzle is a comedy set on a lifestyle cruise ship where “lives are continually disrupted, and how infidelity and boredom can become the basis of human comedy and tragedy”.
"So many people screw their lives up in the most ludicrous way, and as a satirist I'm attracted to that," said Williamson. "People who have everything but convince themselves they need more."
Williamson wrote The Department for State Theatre Company’s opening of The Playhouse in 1974. Fifty years later, he returns to his old stomping ground with a new black comedy about marriage, desire, polyamory and parenthood.
Mandy and Craig are bored with their monogamous marriage. Eager to inject some new life into their vows, they book themselves in for a “lifestyle” cruise, where they meet Brian and Michele, a couple in a similar situation.
Meanwhile, straight laced, fifty-plus Drew and his bohemian daughter, Cassie, are just trying to reconnect on what he thought was an “Mediterranean history” tour!
Director Shannon Rush wisely keeps the stage movement to a minimum to allow Williamson’s words to shine though. The exceptions to this are the scene changes where the actors move from area to area as if on a ship. The choreography for these changes becomes an integral part of the play. Rush’s characters are all too real and we identify with them immediately.
The set for The Puzzle is a symphony of the sea! Designed by Ailsa Paterson, it is salute to every cruise ship in a composite set featuring the chillout area, two bedrooms, a bar, and a balcony all backed with Mark Oakley’s video design featuring a stylised ocean and a central panel that keeps track of the jigsaw puzzle of Renoir’s ‘Luncheon of the Boating Party’ being constructed by Drew as the play progresses.
The lighting (designed by Mark Shelton), music (composed by Andrew Howard) and sound scape (designed by Patrick Pages-Oliver) complete the ambience of being ‘on board’ highlighting the acting and set.
Ahunim Abebe gives us a polyamorous, sassy Cassie who knows her mind but not always how to communicate with her father. Her scene on the balcony with Brian is a riot.
Chris Asimos’ Brian is an electronics expert who has been blessed with a generous endowment and believes swinging is the way to go until he sees his wife enjoying herself with another man. His sexually fuelled ‘dance’ after being with Mandy is an audience favourite.
Anna Linder’s Michele is worldly wise and up for trying new experiences. Little does she imagine that these new experiences will affect her relationship with her husband forever. Her scenes with her husband Brian are a highlight.
Ansuya Nathan’s Mandy is happy in her marriage, until her husband proves to be more interested sexually in Michele which drives a wedge into her marriage which cannot be removed. Her scenes with her husband Craig are relatable to anyone who has been through a relationship crisis.
Nathan O’Keefe’s Craig is a devoted husband, but looking for more spice in his life, specifically ‘reclamation sex’ after the swinging. But the best laid plans often go astray, and he is left alone, temporarily. His scene with Mandy trying to save his marriage is a highlight and instantly recognisable by anyone who has had marital problems.
Erik Thomson’s Drew is the manipulator of the central metaphor of the play, the jigsaw puzzle. He is a real ‘fish out of water’ on the lifestyle cruise but injects some worldly wisdom from his viewpoint as a father. His scenes with his daughter Cassie are familiar to any father who has lost real communication with their children.
Ruth Fallon’s intimacy coaching deserves a special mention. The actors are totally at ease with close contact and with their own bodies.
The Puzzle is a welcome return to David Williamson plays. It is a delight from start to finish and a must see for anyone who has been on a cruise or maybe contemplating a ‘lifestyle’ cruise themselves!
Barry Hill OAM
Photographer: Matt Byrne
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