The Sydney theatre group, Parnassus Den has come of age. Since 1995 the Den has been work-shopping new plays to harness the skills of budding playwrights. In some eleven years the Den has organized some 600 play readings. Now the company has hosted its inaugural production, ‘The Department Store’ by Justin Fleming .at the inner city Old Fitzroy theatre in Woolloomooloo.

Fleming’s latest play was an adaptation of Emile Zola’s 19th century novel ‘Au Bonheur des Dames’. The play is set in Paris in 1883. Denise Bauda arrives at her uncle Paul’s drapery shop with her little brother Pepe, in tow. She soon learns that her uncle and his business are literally being crushed by the emergence of an immense department store run by the charismatic and womanizing Octave Mouret. Denise has to walk the fine line between the desperate need to work to support herself and Pepe , her emerging feelings for Octave, and her desire to protect the family honour.

This was a stimulating first production by Parnassus Den. Fleming’s work struck quite a few chords with contemporary audiences. The play’s observations of sexual deviousness and manipulation reminded me of the famous film ‘Dangerous Liaisons’. I hadn’t realised that the way large Department stores can totally dominate its smaller competitors has been going on for so long as it clearly has.

‘The Department Store’ played a three week season the Old Fitzroy. Fleming’s play was well directed by Christopher Hurrell. Timothy Kobin’s set design was terrific. A large cast graced the stage, and performed well. Jonathon Elsom as Uncle Paul Baudu, Isabella Dunwill as Denise, Kit Brookman as Pepe Baudu and Christopher Tomkinson impressed in the leading roles.