Rumours

Set in Sydney in the 1980s, the deputy mayor of Sydney, Charley Brooks and his wife Vivienne are hosting a 10^th anniversary party. Unfortunately, Charley, now bed bound, has gone and shot himself in the ear and Vivienne has disappeared. As the well-healed professional guests arrive, they each try to distance themselves from events, spinning unlikely tales as to what really happened to their hosts.

This Neil Simon comedy was originally set in New York City but director Narelle Shorey has opted to set the play in Sydney. This unlikely farce would be a disaster with a weak cast, but fortunately the director has assembled a great team of local actors to handle the madness.

Outstanding in every respect is Wayne Hogan as Len Cummings, Charley’s accountant. This is the type of comedy Hogan revels in and he ploughs on with great energy, comedy timing and delivery of witty humour, not to mention his hilarious facial expressions, as things go from bad to worse and back again.

Matching him is Shawn Brack as Ken Bevans. Bracks early frustrations at his wife, Chris, superbly played by the experienced Natalie Crow, are tempered by a temporary loss of hearring which leads to a variety of muddled messages that only complicates things further. Brack pulls off this confusion brilliantly. 

Kier Shorey, as psychiatrist Ernie Cusak, adds to the mayhem, especially in Act Two, as he slips into an almost Basil Fawlty persona and dominates the stage.

Alicia Clark, as Ernie’s wife, gives a wacky performance as a cook named Cookie, while Race Redomra as Len’s attractive wife Claire, is a great foil for her husband’s whinging and eccentricity.

The final couple to arrive are Glenn and Cassie Cooper. Glenn, played by Craig Burford, plays the classic politician in waiting, afraid to say anything, or even breath, in order not to jeopardise his chances at the next state election.

Patrice Hogan does a fine job as the unhappy, frustrated Cassie. She gets excited about crystals, chastises Glenn, then flirts around with Ken and Len before spending lots of time in the toilet.

Finally, the police are well played by a confused Ross Contarino and Dean Harton.

The set is also well constructed with plenty of doors to enhance the comedy.

Somehow, the laughs and humour keep coming as the situation in the Brooks home becomes even more ridiculous and intense. However, the final speech by Wayne Hogan and the surprise ending are worth the wait.

Ken Cotterill