The Clean House Cleans Up!
Last night the Simplisite team enjoyed a night at the Playhouse theatre for the opening of The Black Swan State Theatre Company's The Clean House.
The Clean House was both funny & touching. It struck many cords that ring scarily true for most modern families. What family hasn't been touched by infidelity, sibling rivalry and/or death? Certainly none that I've ever come across!
The set was exceptional. Andrew Bellchambers made a fantastic debut as Set Designer with the Black Swan demonstrating his superb conceptualisation skills. He managed to embody a sterile upperclass home, a romantic apartment & a European forrest in the small stage without it feeling cluttered or unbelievable.
The gorgeous Brooke Satchwell was endearing as the frank Matilde whose recent family tragedy had left her floating unattached in an uncomfortable foreign world. I found her even more endearing after chatting with her at the After Party establishing she too was a cat person. We shared photos of our babies & discussed their personalities & health problems like adoring mothers.
Sarah McNeil played Lane to a tee. Although she was clearly constructed to be initially disliked with her anal behavior & kurt mannerisms it was impossible not to gradually feel more & more empathetic towards her. By the conclusion of the play Lanes character demonstrated her courageousness & an exceptional ability to forgive.
Carol Burns got the most laughs as the disillusioned & lonely house wife Virginia, Lanes sister. Her dry pessimistic whit was a great comic relief in many otherwise heavy scenes. There was one great scene in particular where Virginia's jealousy of her sisters success & lifestyle teamed with a thoughtless outburst from Lane caused Virginia to uncharacteristically erupt & put the home that she spent most of the play cleaning into disarray. It got the biggest laugh of the night.
Vivienne Garrett truly shone as Ana. She was simultaneously outrageous & subdued. Her portrayal of a passionate, honest, unassuming cancer patient embodied the concept of inner beauty & made you love her despite the circumstances surrounding her.
Lane's clean crisp white sheet world was juxtaposed beautifully with the colourful natural chaos of Ana's carefree reality best symbolised by the bushel of crisp freshly picked apples that were forever in her presence.
As in all good theatre there were moments that spoke to & moved us all. My favourite thing about theatre is that these moments are completely individual & when talking to the audience after the performance you realise we all have different triggers & take what touches us personally away from the experience.
We love supporting The Black Swan & it's great night's out like this that remind us why.
If you feel like a laugh at the absurdity of life The Clean House is a must. Check out their awesome website for details http://bsstc.com.au/the-clean-house
It made the question "Are you going to laugh or cry?" resonate in my mind.