In Tony Laumberg’s BONDI LEGAL a young, inexperienced lawyer finds himself up against it. Brad Pitt, yes that’s his name, attends as a locum to a Bondi legal practice as boss Frank Bailey has taken the week off to take a holiday up north.
Frances Denyer turns up at the practice saying that she has a hearing on at the local court Brad rings up Frank and asks him if this is correct. Frank tells him that he thought that the hearing had been postponed. He tells Brad to go to court, ask for an adjournment, and everything will be all right.
Brad is terrified of going to court. He has only just started practicing as a lawyer and has no court experience. He and his client Frances go off to court praying that they will get an adjournment.
The case, based on a case that Tony Laumberg ran soon after after he commenced his legal practice, involved a young woman who had a show pony that competed in Royal Shows around Australia. Just before the Royal Sydney show her daughter applied a spray to her pony to improve its lustre but within hours the horse was covered in a rash and its tail and mane had fallen out. The mother and daughter want their day in court seeking compensation.
At court they meet the pompous lawyer for the other side, hard nosed lawyer Simon Crookwell. Brad is flustered and speads his documents everywhere. Magistrate Newman comes on the bench and Brad asks for an adjournment. After a brief discussion, the no nonsense Magistrate refuses the adjournment and tells the parties that she will go off the bench for fifteen minutes and then she will come back on and start the hearing. Brad is beside himself with stress. How will Brad and his client Frances survive their day in court?!
Richard Cotter directs a very fast paced and zingy production Michael Arvithis gives a very good comic performance as Brad Pitt, showing his skill with physical comedy. Jadie Bastow is very believable as his very encouraging and supportive client Frances.
Valentino Arico gets a lots of laugh as Brad’s gruff boss Frank and also plays the various witnesses who come before the court.
David Evan Samuels is suitably aloof as the cold, pompous Simon Crookwell and Tricia Youlden is well cast as Magistrate Newman.
A very funny, light hearted night at the theatre, Tony Laumberg’s BONDI LEGAL is playing the theatre at the Bondi Pavilion on various dates between Friday 11 October and Saturday 26 October with ten performances in all. For more information and bookings visit www.bonditheatrecompany.com.au
Featured image – Michael Arvithis as Brad Pitt and Tricia Youlden as Magistrate in Tony Laumberg’s ‘Bondi Legal’.