November 3, 2010
Adelaide
Theatre
BRIEF
The Give and Take
by Tony McNamara
State Theatre Company of South Australia
Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre.
November 1. Tickets $ 29 – $ 59. Bookings : BASS 131 246
Until November 21.
Who says money can’t buy you love ? When hassled executive Don Locke (the amusingly downbeat George Kapiniaris) finds himself locked into to work (selling lawn products) and locked out of his family ( three ingrate young adults still dependent on his largesse) he decides to set some new rules. It’s time for some true appreciation, otherwise the money pipeline is going to be switched off.
Director Catherine Fitzgerald guides this sometimes scathing, sometimes funny take on inter-generational exploitation with spirited performances from Rhiannon Owen, Matthew Crook and Chris Asimos as the unpleasant siblings, and Pip Miller and Peter Michell, lively as the cartoonish Executive Suite colleagues. Mary Moore’s décor is elegantly stylish but the costumes are sometimes off the mark. As are the details of McNamara’s characters – even stereotypes need sharply observed particulars to remind us that we are looking at ourselves. The Give and Take has a great premise, but is too hit and miss to really find its groove.
Murray Bramwell
The Australian, November 5, 2010