Daylight Saving @ The Pavilion Theatre

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Nick Enright’s 1989 play DAYLIGHT SAVING is a great night’s entertainment at the Pavilion Theatre.

The play is set in the late 1980s on the first day of summer, when the clocks change and Sydney-siders gain an extra hour to live their dreams or perhaps be caught out. Enright delves into unhappy marriages and questions what it is that makes us lonely even in the midst of others. However this is not a drama but a comedy, almost a farce, with a clever plot weaving its way among the characters and features plenty of very funny one-liners and astute observations.

At the start of the play celebrity chef Felicity, or Flick, played by Shelley Casey, has a life to be envied. She lives in a lovely home overlooking Pittwater and is married to high-flying tennis manager Tom, played by Richard Ifield. In truth, however Flick is lonely, her relationship is on the brink, and when an old boyfriend Josh, (Luke Hawkins), comes to town the temptation to stray might be more than she can resist. Added to the mix are a neurotic tennis player Jason, (Tim Robertson), a prying mother Bunty, (Julia Griffith) and a highly stressed neighbour with love problems of her own Stephanie (Anthea Brown).

Directed by Bernard Teuben, all the cast interrelate effectively & the comic timing is sharp. Casey displays the initial disappointment and dissolution of Flick but then her excitement and hope as the situation changes. Ifield struts confidently around his own crumbling world until he comes to the understanding of the necessity for change. Hawkins confidently plays the American lover never to be defeated and is happy to change his loyalties as the need arises. Robinson has the spoiled brat routine down pat. Griffith is delightful in her portrayal of archetypal North Shore widow, and Brown is very amusing as the self-absorbed neighbour lacking any tact whatsoever.

The lighting by Sean Churchward, sets by Jewell Johnson and Roger Wishart, and sound by James Winters and Leigh Scanlon compliment the actors in bringing this play vividly to life. Most impressive is the back drop to the set lending a true professionalism to the production.

A stunning photograph of Pittwater is printed onto large, semi-transparent material. This allows changing coloured lights to be projected through giving a realistic impression of the sun setting over the water. Another feature is a section of a tennis court brought indoors forming part of the lounge room floor.

Castle Hill Players have started their 2015 season very strongly with this delightful classic Australian play.

DAYLIGHT SAVING plays Fridays, Saturday and Sundays till 21 February at the Pavilion Theatre, Doran Drive Castle Hill (inside the showground via Showground Road).

For more about Daylight Saving, visit http://paviliontheatre.org.au/