KILLING KATIE : CONFESSIONS OF A BOOK CLUB @ THE ENSEMBLE

Georgia Symes and Bron Lim in “Killing Katie : Confessions Of A Book Club’. Photo Lisa Tomasetti

The backstory to Tracey Trinder’s play ‘Killing Katie : Confessions Of A Book Club’ is that Robyn runs a little book club from the lounge room of her house. There are only a few participants; her mother, Angela, and two friends, Linda and Sam.

The small group get along harmoniously. There is no question in regards to who is the boss. Robyn runs the club very efficiently. One of her ‘things’ is that the book discussions have to take place and then the entree food can be eaten.

Robyn is very content with the status quo. The play begins with Sam, innocently enough, disturbing this status quo. Sam has, without seeking Robyn’s permission, invited her friend Katie to join the club.

From Katie’s first appearance at the club it is clear that she is going to ruffle some feathers. Katie is loud, brazen, frank and colourful, particularly in her choice of clothes, everything that Robyn is not. Worse still Katie does not wait till the end of discussions to hoe into the nibblies.

The late Australian playwright Tracey Trinder, sadly she passed away late last year after a short illness, has deftly set up protagonist Robyn against antagonist Katie.

We, the audience, are keen to see how this scenario plays out, which it does in some interesting, unexpected ways.

Before coming to see the show I was thinking a play about a book club that sure runs the risk of being a static affair. Not so with Francesca ‘Frankie’ Savige’s fast paced, entertaining production. 

A hallmark of the production is Savige’s good use of the performance space with actors, at different times, coming down the aisles from the top of the theatre.

Trinder’s play  shifts between the past and present with lit up neon signs indicating which time period we are in.

Chantelle Jamieson gives a delightful performance as the vibrant Katie.

Kate Raison, a true veteran of the Ensemble stage, gives another fine, reliable performance as Robyn.

Another veteran thespian Valerie Bader plays her mum Angela who enjoys having jibes at what she sees as her daughter’s conservatism.

Bron Lim plays Linda, the most level headed of the women on stage..

Georgina Symes plays the sparky, fitness freak Sam.  

Daryl Wallis’ soundscape was sharp and contemporary.

The feature of Tobhiyah Stone Feller’s set design is its portability. The cast bring in and take out the props leaving the compact Ensemble stage uncluttered. A nice touch is a large banner coming down from on top revealing an art work.

Well worth attending this book club, ‘Killing Katie : Confessions Of A Book Club’ is playing at the Ensemble Theatre till  the 26th February, 2022.