Felicity’s Score: 4.5/5 Flashing phone lines
Beyond the high-end intrigue of a hip restaurant in Woolloomooloo, past their mysterious and ever-changing menu inspired by molecular gastronomy, and down the stairs into the basement…are the reservations team. Except today, the team is just one, struggling actress Sam. It is down here where the nitty gritty of restaurant operations unfolds – how to please the privileged when they want a table (and they want it this Saturday at 7:30pm!!) and the restaurant is already fully committed. Contessa Treffone and the team behind Ensemble’s production of Fully Committed (by Becky Mode) provide a three course meal: get ready to enjoy an entree of jocularity, mains include satirical triumphs with near-perfect precision, and dessert is a vicarious satisfaction for any service-worker who’s ever been treated like a lower-class citizen. In short, Fully Committed is felicitous comedy, fiery characters, and formidable craft in 90 minutes.
Treffone’s persona switches are fastidious and satisfying as she jumps between them effortlessly. The forty characters seem unique, yet within a range that feels authentic to her comedy. Kate Champion’s direction has kept the comment on the unjust social exchanges in the service industry clear whilst maintaining the lightheartedness needed to really enjoy the writing. Everything from Anna Tregloan’s set, to Verity Hampson’s lighting, and Nate Edmonson’s sound design have allowed a quick-footed performance the similarly impressive playground it needed to flourish.’
Aside from the obvious comedy, Becky Mode’s play uses stereotypes of privilege to enact the way that most people treat anyone on the other side of a service phone. It’s interesting to laugh at the farcical shenanigans of the selected VIPs of the restaurant, whilst also accepting that it’s also the everyday people that feel an odd permission to treat the person on the other side of the phone as a punching bag. Angry and abusive callers are the cause of a new customer service revolution, I used to work for a company has begun allowing call staff to simply hang up on abusive customers rather than grovel to their unwarranted onslaught of yelling and blame. As Sam must learn as she juggles more than twenty phone lines, she’s actually entitled to respect more than any person, even Mrs Sebag, is entitled to a table at a restaurant.
Felicity Anderson, Theatre Now
11 Oct – 16 Nov 2019
Venue: Ensemble Theatre
Theatre Company: Becky Mode
Duration: Approx 90 min (no interval)
Ticket Prices:
$38 – $78
plus booking fee
Various Dates (follow bookings Link For Details)
By Becky Mode
Nobody wants to hear that a chef-hatted, multiple-award-winning, ridiculously trendy Wolloomooloo restaurant is fully committed and can’t take a booking. When Sydney socialites and international A-listers wish to dine on the date they wish to dine on, it’s harder to finesse than the perfect soufflé.
In a dingy basement office far from the magic of molecular gastronomy, skilful reservationist Sam has to use her charisma and wits to keep over forty demanding characters happy… and most importantly, keep her job.
In an updated version of Becky Mode’s Broadway smash, director Kate Champion and comedy chameleon Contessa Treffone join forces to serve up a hilarious and fast-paced take on our modern obsession with food.
Playwright: Becky Mode
Director: Kate Champion
Cast: Contessa Treffone
Suitable for: Ages 4+ and their families
