Rumors

''I was going through some difficult times,'' Neil Simon says. ''This marriage I was in was breaking up. My daughter's husband was killed in an automobile accident. It seemed like rough going. And I said I wanted to work, because work is always a cathartic process for me, and I thought it would be really good just to get into a comedy.''

So, writing-a-farce-as-therapy resulted in Rumors, and, having seen it, it's certainly not difficult to read between the lines. Farces are usually silly. Sometimes they are clever and silly, but essentially the over-the-top silliness is what separates them from an average comedy. Oh and doors; lots of doors. However, Simon's aptitude for rapid-fire one-liners, genuine pathos and character juxtapositions certainly elevates this particular farce beyond any specific formula and makes the underlying chaos somewhat more relatable on an emotional level.

Considering the wide age range of the players (which is of course, typical for community theatre) director Shea Wicks made some brave choices – but her judgement has proven very shrewd indeed, as the onstage chemistry of this talented ensemble required no suspension of disbelief whatsoever. Each cast member embraces their role with gusto, inhabiting not only their characters, but also the ritzy costumes and elegant set in which they dwell. There's nothing awkward to see here - except that which was written in the script. Lighting and sound are also fab. While all of the ensemble are on point with their characters, a special shout out must be given to Adriana Nunez for bringing the 'chutzpah' with her late entrance, and kicking the already frenetic pace up a gear, without once becoming a caricature.

All in all, a top notch production.

Rose Cooper

Images: (top) L-R Paul Kanton, Kim Kelly, Sierra Phillips, Andrew Thomson and Scott Goodacre, and (lower) Clockwise from bottom: Blair Cunningham, Paul Kanton, Adriana Nunez, Scott Goodacre, Flynn Edwards and David Wicks. Photographer: David Wicks.