Alana’s Score: 3 /5 beer bottles
Felix and Oscar couldn’t be more different. One is neat and clean, the other a grubby slob. One cooks, the other orders takeaway. Their worlds collide when neurotic Felix moves in with slovenly Oscar after his wife kicks him out, and hilarity ensues.
Written in 1965, The Odd Couple is potentially Neil Simon’s most famous work. Watching it in 2019 may cause it to seem dated – some of the language, particularly around women, is uncomfortable. But director Mark Kilmurry breathes life into the script, finding plenty of moments to appeal to a contemporary audience.
Brian Meegan shines as Felix in all his neurotic, highly-strung glory. His performance is nuanced and incredibly detailed, allowing Felix to be a human with flaws, rather than a one-dimensional nervous neat freak. As Oscar, Steve Rodgers is a wonderful antithesis to Meegan, but his performance on opening night felt a little disconnected, especially in the scenes with the larger ensemble. Meegan and Rodgers have a great rapport together in scenes with just the two of them, but this gets lost a little in the larger scenes.
The brilliant Nicholas Papademetriou is wickedly funny as Vinnie, and James Lugton brings his usual charm and warmth to policeman Murray. The female characters are very poorly written, but Katie Fitchett and Olivia Pigeot give it a red-hot go.
Kilmurry has combed through the text and brought to life every single moment of comedy from Simon, and then some. The poker scenes with the majority of the ensemble run like comedy clockwork – precise, detailed, seemingly effortless. And these scenes wouldn’t work otherwise.
Hugh O’Connor’s set and costumes bring Simon’s world joyously to life, assisted by Christopher Page’s lights. Oscar’s apartment has rooms offstage hinting at its grandeur, and depending on where you’re sitting, you might get the chance to see into the kitchen as the characters come and go. A fabulous attention to detail.
This production of The Odd Couple is an energetic, lively and warm exploration of varying types of masculinity and male relationships. It touches on a few darker issues like suicide and mental health, and tries to shine a light on the ever-elusive male vulnerability. It doesn’t quite hit the mark, but it’s an entertaining night at the theatre nonetheless.
Alana Kaye – Theatre Now
22 Nov – 30 Dec 2019
Venue: Ensemble Theatre
Theatre Company: Ensemble Theatre
Duration: Approx. 2 hrs 20 mins (including interval)
Ticket Prices:
Adults $73 – $78
Concessions available
Various Dates (follow bookings Link For Details)
By Neil Simon
Oscar likes cards. Sports. Eating leftovers.
Felix likes clean air. Polished surfaces. Cooking.
When recently divorced Oscar invites getting-divorced Felix to share his New York apartment, it might not improve their friendship. In fact, it might just ruin it. Will Felix survive late nights, TV dinners and yesterday’s towels? And will Oscar survive drink coasters, clean ashtrays and the recipe for London broil? And who threw that spaghetti at the wall?
Comedy masters Brian Meegan (THE NORMAN CONQUESTS, TWO) and Steve Rodgers are the definitive odd couple in Neil Simon’s Tony Award winning comedy of divorce, friendship and (mis)understandings.
Director
Mark Kilmurry
Cast includes
Laurence Coy
Katie Fitchett
Robert Jago
James Lugton
Brian Meegan
Nicholas Papademetriou
Olivia Pigeot
Steve Rodgers
