Michael Gow’s play SWEET PHOEBE is the new late show at the Old Fitz.
This play features a young, very driven couple – Fraser in high finance and Helen – a graphic artist – living the hustle bustle city life. That is until their bestie friends go into couple therapy and Helen agrees to mind their dog, Phoebe. The reluctant bonding with Phoebe goes well until Phoebe escapes.
The trendy couple are mortified and turn their lives upside down in search of their missing mut. Their search is undertaken with the same zealousness as if they were searching for a missing person. What follows is a journey into the wiley characters of the neighbourhood including the local public housing estates and features some hilarious insights into society.
SWEET PHOEBE comes in as a well crafted, satirical comedy, working on a number of levels as it explores, in depth, this modern couples’ relationship and features some curious introspections.
The main feature of Jackrabbit Theatre’s current revival, well directed by Anthony Skuse and Suzanne Periera, is its very brisk pace. My impression was that the actors struggled a little ‘off the blocks’ however once they settled in Charlotte Hazzard and Alistair Osment gave very effective performances which had a lot of impact in the intimate Old Fitz space.
Percussionist Angela Lan, sitting stage left, provided musical commentary on her snare drum.
The stage lighting, unattributed, was very effective.
Recommended, especially to those who are curious about how some couples ‘in reality’ function, SWEET PHOEBE is playing the Old Fitz theatre until November 12. Performance times Tuesdays to Saturdays at 9.30 pm and Sundays at 7 pm.