Verdict. This was a play that I had mixed feelings about.There was a lot going on as the playwright tapped away at things.

Some of these explorations grated. Numerous times Jess has a go at Ben for calling her babe. Does babe have to be gender specific? Yes Ms Wolf, did you really need to let us know how hip you are about gender linguistics?!

Then there’s the  sexual flirtation that takes place between Brian and hook up, Tommy  that takes place in the living room, just beneath the stairs, that sets off the credibility alarm. I just didn’t believe it.

Where the play was powerful was in its depiction of the elderly. Here were Bill and Nancy still with libidos and talking dirty in their eighties. Husband and wife  secrets came out that would otherwise have not have been exposed.

Here was elderly Nancy  boldly deciding to go out on her own. There was their kids determined to control and manage them, as if they were the uncontrollable kids? Interesting…

Sydney Theatre Company Resident Director Jessica Arthur’s production puts Wohl’s play in the best light.

The cast were all good.

They were led by two veteran actors, Linda Cropper as Nancy and John Bell as Bill gave excellent performances.

Johnny Nasser played older son Ben who tries to dominate the showdown.

Zindzi Okenyo played his wife Jess, a touchy feely couple’s therapist who takes Nancy’s side.

Guy Simon played the anxious, gay younger son Brian, who was none too comfortable in the family drama.

It was great to see a favourite actress Vanessa Downing  who delighted in a minor role as Bill’s other woman, Carla.

James Magoos played Brian’s brief hook-up who quickly exited the scene when the encounter became too fraught.

Renee Mulder’s set of the couple’s living room and kitchen was meticulous.

Verity Hampson’s lighting design is its usual high standard and Clemence Williams soundscape blends into the production well.

Wohl’s play is one of those plays that gets one thinking.

Helen. Keller is quoted as saying, ‘life is a daring adventure or nothing’. Really, how many people, in their twilight years, would be as daring as Nancy in GRAND HORIZONS?!

The Sydney Theatre Company’s production of GRAND HORIZONS is playing the Roslyn Packer Theatre, 22 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay until  Saturday 5 March 2022.

Featured image : Linda Cropper, Johnny Nasser, Zindzi Okenyo, Guy Simon and John Bell in SydneyTheatre Company’s GRAND HORIZONS, 2021. Production photography by Prudence Upton.

http://www.sydneytheatre.com.au