David Williamson’s play dates back to 1987 but is still as fresh and challenging as it was then – the issues it raises are still extremely relevant . 

This excellent version was filmed at the Stables/Griffin Theatre with a live audience (pre Covid!) 

Directed by Lee Lewis it features a stellar cast including Mitchel Butel and Lucy Bell. Bright, bold and colourful the set design is by Ken Done and is iconically Sydney with terrific costumes by Sophie Fletcher .

Williamson’s play is set in the 1980’s in Sydney with sharp, snappy interweaving repartee and scenes. The various character’s monologues are often portrayed as asides directly to the audience.

Some of the various themes of the play, which examines the film and publishing industries, include the Sydney versus Melbourne rivalry, money vs morals, being true to oneself, politics and power, the ‘cultural cringe’, the funding of the arts, making money in the arts and what makes a good marriage are still very  relevant today. We also observe blatant sexism and society’s expectations of  how women are treated. 

In Williamson’s play we follow Colin (Mitchell Butel), a filmmaker and struggling screenwriter who dreams of making a High Art Great Australian Film, and who moves to Sydney from Melbourne with his wife Kate (Lucy Bell), hopefully to expand his career. Kate is an author who also promotes Indigenous writers. When they first move, Colin likes the Sydney environment while Kate actively dislikes it : she has an upright social conscience and can’t stand the selfish vicious circle of Sydney life. 

By the end of the play they have swapped views  – or have they?! Colin becomes trapped in Sydney’s dogged hypocritical preoccupation with wealth and success .He becomes entangled with loads of important contacts including the superficial Mike (Ben Winspear) who has brilliant ideas but isn’t really a writer and is unable to deliver. Colin finds himself torn between true art and making money and also his troubled marriage with Kate, whose book is nominated for the Booker Prize (so there is also the issue of who is supporting who in the marriage).

Mitchell Butel is superb as the frustrated, troubled Colin,  striving to retain his artistic integrity in a magnificent performance that propels the entire play, bringing his character to vivid life with graceful flourishes and stormy self doubt. As a middle class white hetero male, how can he write dynamically and authentically as someone who has endured and been disparaged all his life? What does he do – does a flourishing writer change tack and write a more challenging work that he really wants to write? and how does he juggle the slippery demands of producers, audiences and reviewers?!

The role of Kate his wife is performed by Lucy Bell as if it was written for her – she inhabits the role like a glove, revealing along with Butel an intimate portrait of a marriage where both are very relaxed with each other and yet at times it seems to be fraying  .At times she is bitter, difficult and disturbed, yet still caring. Much use is made of the white couch, at times.

Ben Winspear as horrid, bent, double-dealing, avaricious ,duplicitous Mike almost steals the show in a very impressive performance.

Jennifer Hagan as posh, elegant producer Elaine, rather callous and acerbic, is relentlessly obsessed with obtaining the perfect Harbour view, and also becomes entangled in Mike’s schemes .  

Kelly Paterniti is sultry as Mike’s girlfriend Helen while Gareth Yuen as composed, polished investment banker Malcolm, both provide accomplished support.

A thought provoking production with a splendid cast.

Captured live on stage at SBW Stables Theatre and presented digitally by RiversideTheatres Digital.

Emerald City by David Williamson screens on demand until 12 September 2021.

Cast: Lucy Bell, Mitchell Butel, Jennifer Hagan, Kelly Paterniti, Ben Winspear and Gareth Yuen
Director: Lee Lewis
Designer: Ken Done
Costume Designer and Associate Set Designer: Sophie Fletcher
Lighting Designer: Luiz Pampolha
Composer: Kelly Ryal
Writer: David Williamson

https://riversideparramatta.com.au/show/emeraldcity-ondemand/