Rapture

Three middle-aged couples appear to be reasonably happy with their lives.  That is until one of the couples reveals that they have had an epiphany of sorts and are moving on, leaving their old friendships behind. Thus begins the real drama in the Pymble Players' latest production, Rapture.

The scenery is stylish and monochromatic, with harbour views.  This is a clever nod to the success and status of the homeowners as well as a symbol of the mundanity of the lives of the 40-somethings who are gathering for a dinner party.  Their clothes, though nice, are also devoid of any colour. Have their lives really become this monotonous?

Eve, the hostess, and Dan enter first, played by Karen Pattinson and Daniel Ferris (these two were great opposite each other in Blythe Spirit two years ago and they do not disappoint here).  Despite the fact that Eve is married to Dan's friend Tom, there is a definite whiff of adultery in the air.  Consequently, when Tom enters, played by David Allsopp, the audience feel uneasy about this potential love triangle.

Next on stage is Dan's wife Jane, played by Kate Kelly, who has already had a disappointing evening before arriving. Her tension adds to the already awkward dynamic. Finally, we meet Henny and Harry, Louise Deibe and Rob White, the couple who have unintentionally thrown a spanner into the works of their friends. These two are cleverly dressed in colour to further emphasise their separation from the others and maintain their calm certainty throughout the ensuing fireworks.

Henny and Harry have effectively been AWOL for months and their four friends feel simultaneously rejected and curious.  Where have they been, what were they doing and why couldn't they communicate at all?  Worse still, their newfound joy only highlights the fact that none of their four friends have ever experienced a bliss anything like it, particularly in their marriages.  Ironically, their rapture causes the swift and dramatic unravelling of the other two marriages.  What were cracks at the start are now massive chasms as characters reveal that they are unhappy, unloved and possibly 'settled' on their partner but have now been pushed to the brink.

The fact that Henny and Harry are unexpectedly leaving this previous comfort zone is difficult for their friends to comprehend but particularly alarming for Tom.  It must be noted at this point that Director David Allsopp has had to step into the rather substantial role of Tom with only a few weeks' notice.  This being the case, his stage presence was remarkably strong and, were it not for the occasional script in his hand you would have thought that he was the original casting for the role.  With no offence to the original actor, Allsopp is actually a perfect Tom.

Ultimately, the calmness of Henny and Harry is counterbalanced by the other four characters confronting their own demons. Pattinson is always very convincing on stage, and the audience sympathised with Kelly's sadness, but the standout here is Ferris. His revealing outburst about unrequited love and marital compromise is both heartbreaking and stunning.

As is always the case with Pymble Players, the production values are high and the audience was suitably impressed.

Rapture will play at 55A Mona Vale Rd (Cnr Bromley Ave), Pymble until 19^th March.  It is not to be missed.

Fiona Kelly

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