NOEL COWARD’S ‘HOME CHAT’ @ GENESIAN THEATRE

Genesian Theatre Company’s production of ‘Home Chat’. Photo by Craig O’Regan

This was the Genesian Theatres Company’s first production post the Covid lockdown.

It is a quirky, little known Noel Coward play written in  1927 that did not go well when it was first performed but did have a fairly  recent revival (2016) in London. This GTC production is an Australian premiere.

Two old friends, Peter and Janet,  ‘innocently’ share a sleeping compartment on a train which crashes coming back to London from France. People die in the train crash. Peter and Janet survive unharmed but when the news comes out that they were in the same compartment together makes people close to them feel that something had transpired.

At first, they are appalled by this but soon they play along with this notion. Coward’s play ends up being about who ends up with who at the end of the play.

The cast all perform capably.

The feisty Janet, who proved to be the show’s main character, was well played by Abbie Love.  We see her become more Independent and feisty as the play goes on,

Cameron  Hutt gave a polished performance as her good friend, Peter.

Scarlet Hunter played his insecure fiancé Lavinia Hardy and there  is a lovely scene between them after they have reconciled.

Robert Green is very good playing two butler roles in the two households portrayed; Janet and Paul’s house, and Peter’s flat.

Ruba El Kaddoumi plays Mavis Wittersham, a woman who is often  hanging around Janet and Paul’s house. We sense that she has feelings for Paul.

Kendall Drury is Janet’s proper, sensitive husband Paul. This was  a nicely delivered performance.

The two mothers in the play are both strong characters. Jenny Jacobs was Janet’s wry, witty mother, Mrs Chillham.  I enjoyed the way that Jenny played to the audience through the show.Lois Marsh  was excellent as Paul’s overbearing mother,

Peter David Allison did well in a ‘small’  role as Peter’s good friend Major ‘not Captain’ Alec Stone.

Director Barry Nielsen with Assistant Director Nosmia Jounot ensure that the action flows well.

Ian Whalan and Michael Schell’s lighting design  was very effective.

Tom Fahy’s period set design was likewise effective and functional with the cast moving  furniture and effects between scenes.

Susan Carveth’s  period costumes were, as always, a delight.

Perhaps a little dated but still a lot of fun, especially with Coward’s colourful characters and sharp one liners, HOME CHAT is playing the Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, city until 12th December 2021.  Performance times are Friday and Saturday nights at 7.30pm, Sunday matinée at 4.30pm

Featured image : Genesian Theatre Company’s production of ‘Home Chat’. Pic by Craig O’Regan 

https://www.genesiantheatre.com.au