There’s a new play on at Sydney’s popular fringe theatre venue, the Old Fitzroy theatre The play is young local playwright Tamara Asmar’s play, ‘Belle’s Line’. Asmar’s play slots in to the Sydney theatre landscape as middle of the range, well structured drama.

‘Belle’s Line’ is about Belle, a young woman whose life is at a crossroads. On one hand, her public relations career that she has tried so hard to establish, is blossoming. On the other hand her boyfriend Mick is getting more and more serious in his intentions. Things come to a head when Mick sets his sights on proposing to Belle one Friday night after Belle has had a particular trying week at work. Their night together is thrown into further confusion when Belle’s attention seeking sister, Ruth knocks on their door, planning to stay for the weekend.

Thematically, the play had a lot of similarities with ‘The Devil wears Prada’, where a hard nosed female manager tries to mould her personal assistant to be as ruthless and work obsessed like her, and to forego a private life.

I felt that the play was well served by a punchy first Act but could have had a stronger second half.

Director Alan Flower’s production vividly brings Asmar’s play to life. Much like Belvoir’s B Sharp’s production of ‘Killer Joe’ live music plays a great role with veteran actor Terry Serio showing his musical talents by playing mini guitar tracks through the play.

Flower’s production incorporates some fun touches. At different times in the play the cast turn off Serio’s guitar strumming by pointing an imaginary remote in his direction. Another fun visual was late in the play when Mick goes disappearing at night into the Kurrajong bush Flowers gets a stage hand to shine a torch that follows Mick as he scuttles across the upstairs stage area.

Structurally, ‘Belle’s Line’ shifts between the tensions in Belle and Mick’s relationship, and the testy work encounters between Belle and Marion.

‘Belle’s Line’ is a four-hander. The playwright has given the cast four meaty roles to work with.Sophie Cleary’s Belle captures the angst of a ‘torn’ young woman. Rebecca Clarke’s is Belle’s temperamental, highly strung older sister, Ruth. Dan Henshall’s Mick is Belle’s good natured beau who has oodles of charm and vitality. Christine Greenough hits the right note in her portrayal of Belle’s manager Marion who has devoted her life to her career and can’t understand anyone who doesn’t.

‘Belle’s Line’ plays the Old Fitzroy theatre, corner Cathedral and Dowling streets, Woolloomooloo until December 23.