Oh, why do some playwrights choose such strange titles for their plays?! A case in point, Louis Nowra’s new play ‘The Woman with Dog’s Eyes’, currently playing at the Stables Theatre in Kings Cross. Thank God the title failed to put me off.
This was a strong drama which was given a powerful Griffin production under the direction of David Berthold.
The black sheep returning to the fold scenario has Malcolm and Penny Boyce celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary at a hotel in the Blue Mountains. Malcolm has arranged a celebratory dinner with his family. Sons Keith and Luke
arrive and everything seems to be going well. Then everything is thrown into chaos when youngest son Todd unepectantly arrives, having been invited by one of his brothers. Years ago Malcolm and Todd had a huge falling out and Malcolm has not wanted anything to do with his younger son. The family celebration is put on a knife’s edge.
Nowra takes us on a rocky and poignant journey as we look through the keyhole into the machinations of the Boyce family. The strong cast bring the dramatists rich characters vividly to life.
Jane Harders was outstanding as mother Penny, determined to hold the family together. Alex Dimitriades gave a sensitive performance as troubled Todd who had been wayward in his younger days but now felt more able to deal with life’s responsibilities. One of our strongest dramatic actors
Danny Adcock was always going to be formidable as Malcolm. Toby Schmitz was good as the ascerbic, sharp shooter Luke. His performance requires him to feign an epileptic fit on stage, no small ask! Rounding out the cast was Jack Finsterer as son Keith, the most smug, conservative and materialistic of the three sons.
The play features some stand-out scenes for the actors to show off their class. Jane Harders is so poignant in the scene where she puts all her cards on the table to her husband, and basically tells him ‘no Todd, then no me’.The final scene with its calm after the storm, its note of reconciliation, was deeply felt. Summing up, ‘The Woman with Dog’s Eyes’ was an emotional night in the theatre.