The Roof Is Caving In

‘The roof caved in’ – as in, “everything was fine and then the roof caved in.’  That doesn’t happen immediately in this show.  It’s a process - but we are certainly expecting it from the very start when ill-matched students Hester (Marlena Thomson) and Bronwyn (Bek Schilling) move into a very small – with two trundle beds - flat together - after a ‘welcome’ spiel from the glittering eyed but robotic estate agent (Joanna Halliday) and the signing of the 78 + page contract.

We all know about the rental crisis context here, and we can guess without being told that this pair can scarcely afford the rent.  That’s on top of soon getting on each other’s nerves.  The set design by Brigitte Jennings and director Belle Hansen is useful and just right and reinforces the conflict.  It’s about the claustrophobic size that this shitty box of an apartment would be, painted entirely in a muddy sort of colour run-out green (the whole show is suggestively colour-co-ordinated).  Red haired Hester, dressed all in orange, has an anal-retentive personality, is ambitious, focussed on her future as an anaesthetist, energetic, keeps fit, anxious, jumpy – and yet compelled to compromise and apologise - which only increases her tension.  Silver haired Bronwyn, dressed all in purple, is laid back, casual, still deciding on their future, up for new experiences – and just the sort of flatmate to drive a Hester crazy.

A crazy but somehow brilliant (because it works) element here is the addition of a live music quintet – Karen Yee on keyboard, Linus Finn Mackie on guitar, Joshua Mackie on trombone, Daniel Kim on clarinet and the previously noted Joanna Halliday – the estate agent - on violin.  The clever music – from Jack Burmeister – interrupts, comments on and enhances the action, and the musicians can appear sitting on the washing machine, from inside the fridge, outside the window, or from inside the shower recess.  Hester and Bronwyn do not acknowledge their presence – until, that is, each of them transforms into characters in the story.  Karen Lee is a nosy neighbour.  Daniel Kim is suddenly Hester’s largely useless therapist (from the fridge), and Linus Finn Mackie is Bronwyn’s sexy if mute boyfriend – with guitar.

Of the two leads, Schilling has rather the easier time of it as Bronwyn is mostly cruisey, calm, indifferent to provocation and a bit of a slob.  Thomson’s Hester, on the other hand, is hyper-active, usually in a tizz and visibly restraining an explosion – all of which is so readable on her face and body.  Constantly on the move and with her dancer’s training, she is a pleasure to watch – and very funny.  (Although her performance might be even funnier if she didn’t rush it quite so much.)   

Did Matilda Gibbs write an Odd Couple sit-com?  Maybe.  But now The Roof Is Caving In is a characteristic Frenzy Theatre Company production.  That is, bursting with ideas and energy, wildly original in its combination of elements that sometimes make no rational sense but at the same time make mordant – if not black and bleak – comment on our contemporary world – but then just that little bit over-egged, unfocussed and chaotic. 

But the situation here is so recognisable and relatable, that we are engaged with these characters and the music – and the performance of it - adds another rich layer to the comedy.

By the way, the play is on the VC Drama Unit 3 list.  The students in the audience can take the show as a warning of their futures.

Michael Brindley

Photographer: Darren Gill