Review: The Power Of Pets Plays Out In SWEET PHOEBE

Wednesday 2nd November 2016, 9:30pm, Old Fitz Theatre

Michael Gow's one act play, SWEET PHOEBE examines a relationship precariously positioned on the edge of "perfection" at the Old Fitz Theatre. Teetering between the calculated precision of poetry and the rawness of realistic dialogue, directors Anthony Skuse and Suzanne Pereira draw out Gow's themes with a gripping suspense and emotional roller coaster.

The stark apartment set of the current main stage show, THE BITTER TEARS OF PETRA VON KANT, is a perfect fit for power couple Helen and Frazer. The premise of the work is that career driven designer Helen and equally driven corporate husband Frazer like their lives planned out and "perfect". Of the two, Frazer is the stronger force, not letting anything derail their dreams until Helen agrees to dog sit Phoebe whilst their friends go away on retreat. The destruction of their perfectly planned, ordered world plays out over the hour as the holes in their relationship become apparent.

As Frazer, Alastair Osment is forceful and recognisable as the career driven, somewhat arrogant young businessman. He has an aggression and a frightening force as he responds to Helen's suggestions of some shared time. With displays of dominance.

Charlotte Hazzard captures Helen's drive and determination but with a softer edge than Frazer. To some degree, it appears Helen is attracted to Frazer's power. There is a more compassionate side to her as she is more preoccupied with looking out for her friends rather than her own marriage.

Gow's writing captures the Australian linguistic style and blends it with a clipped poetry that relaxes as the story, and Helen and Frazer's life starts to unravel. Pereira and Skuse have drawn out the rhythm of the work to show the pairs harsh calculated and clipped nature. This morphs into a more fluid, naturalistic speech pattern as the audience gets the chance to see their world break down.

SWEET PHOEBE is an intriguing display of two peoples lives getting turned upside down when they puppy sit a friends dog. For a couple that pride themselves on having it together when their friends relationship is on the rocks, the unseen dog proves the catalyst to exposing the cracks in their own relationship. Presented with heart, brutal honesty and a roller coaster of emotions, this production is great expression of why it is dangerous to keep brushing issues aside and every life could do with a little bit of spontaneity, and a dog.

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