The Gingerbread Lady
Mon, 25 Mar 2002, 12:28 amWalter Plinge5 posts in thread
The Gingerbread Lady
Mon, 25 Mar 2002, 12:28 amWHAT: The Gingerbread Lady
WHERE: Garrick Theatre, Guildford, WA
WHEN: Friday March 22 (and March 28, 29, 30, April 4, 5, 6)
WHO: Written by Neil Simon, directed by Max Harvey
I'd never heard of this play, but I figured that it probably consists of equal parts angst and hilarity, mixed together in a New York apartment, and stirred vigorously with Judaism. I wasn't far wrong.
The Gingerbread Lady chronicles the struggle of recovering alcoholic Evy Meara (Dale James), just returned from a "drying-out" in the sanatorium, and her attempts to re-connect with her teenage daughter Polly (Julia Dalby). Dale did an excellent job in the generally unsympathetic role.
Despite the love and help Evy receives from her friends and family, the audience is dismayed at how easily Evy falls (practically jumps) off the wagon. Becoming progressively pissed in Act 2, Dale portrays the transformation to obnoxious drunk gradually and believably. I felt distinctly uncomfortably when the drunken shouting began, particularly when I had been laughing uproariously not long before.
Helplessly watching Evy's re-descent are best friends Jimmy (John Lobb) and Toby (Chandra Wyatt). Jimmy is an out-of-work actor in his mid-40s who can't seem to get that big break. I thought John Lobb was a bit subdued in Act 1, but it seems he was saving his energy for a scene-stealing outburst in Act 2. Rolling in the aisles stuff. Toby is obsessed with her appearance, constrained by the damaging view that the only way she can be of use is to be beautiful for her man. In this, she is as much a victim as Evy. Chandra Wyatt (often seen on this page wearing a Greek headpiece) was well-cast in the subtle role.
Jack Solero as a delivery boy and Colin Hughes as Evy's abusive ex-boyfriend were effective in their small roles. However, my favourite (natch) was the wonderful Julia Dalby as Evy's 18-year-old daughter. So effective was Julia's portrayal of a gangly teenager that I'm sure the audience didn't even consider she might be in her mid-twenties. Alternately lovey-dovey and in-your-face, "Get off your drunken arse, mother," she brought the play alive as the only sane character on stage. A voice to die for and a physically commanding presence on stage (occasionally kept in check by the mauve chiffon thing), Julia was the perfect choice to stand up to Dale.
One odd complaint: the audience was caught completely off guard by the second interval. This was presented as a three-act play, yet there was no mention in the programme. The second interval arrived, and no one wanted to leave their seats for fear of missing anything. Three-act plays seem to be uncommon enough to bewilder an audience. It is too late to change the programme now, but perhaps a sign at the entrance to the auditorium....?
I'm told the play was published in 1970, but it seems older. Can it really be only 30 years ago that female characters were delivering dialogue along the lines of, "The most important thing a woman can do is to look beautiful for her man," and, "Flunk that school test, Honey - men don't like girls who are too smart."?
Don't get me wrong, this was a very enjoyable play: funny and dramatic, but also providing an insight into anachronistic thought processes and attitudes. You can't go wrong with an effective mix of drama and comedy by Neil Simon.
JB
WHERE: Garrick Theatre, Guildford, WA
WHEN: Friday March 22 (and March 28, 29, 30, April 4, 5, 6)
WHO: Written by Neil Simon, directed by Max Harvey
I'd never heard of this play, but I figured that it probably consists of equal parts angst and hilarity, mixed together in a New York apartment, and stirred vigorously with Judaism. I wasn't far wrong.
The Gingerbread Lady chronicles the struggle of recovering alcoholic Evy Meara (Dale James), just returned from a "drying-out" in the sanatorium, and her attempts to re-connect with her teenage daughter Polly (Julia Dalby). Dale did an excellent job in the generally unsympathetic role.
Despite the love and help Evy receives from her friends and family, the audience is dismayed at how easily Evy falls (practically jumps) off the wagon. Becoming progressively pissed in Act 2, Dale portrays the transformation to obnoxious drunk gradually and believably. I felt distinctly uncomfortably when the drunken shouting began, particularly when I had been laughing uproariously not long before.
Helplessly watching Evy's re-descent are best friends Jimmy (John Lobb) and Toby (Chandra Wyatt). Jimmy is an out-of-work actor in his mid-40s who can't seem to get that big break. I thought John Lobb was a bit subdued in Act 1, but it seems he was saving his energy for a scene-stealing outburst in Act 2. Rolling in the aisles stuff. Toby is obsessed with her appearance, constrained by the damaging view that the only way she can be of use is to be beautiful for her man. In this, she is as much a victim as Evy. Chandra Wyatt (often seen on this page wearing a Greek headpiece) was well-cast in the subtle role.
Jack Solero as a delivery boy and Colin Hughes as Evy's abusive ex-boyfriend were effective in their small roles. However, my favourite (natch) was the wonderful Julia Dalby as Evy's 18-year-old daughter. So effective was Julia's portrayal of a gangly teenager that I'm sure the audience didn't even consider she might be in her mid-twenties. Alternately lovey-dovey and in-your-face, "Get off your drunken arse, mother," she brought the play alive as the only sane character on stage. A voice to die for and a physically commanding presence on stage (occasionally kept in check by the mauve chiffon thing), Julia was the perfect choice to stand up to Dale.
One odd complaint: the audience was caught completely off guard by the second interval. This was presented as a three-act play, yet there was no mention in the programme. The second interval arrived, and no one wanted to leave their seats for fear of missing anything. Three-act plays seem to be uncommon enough to bewilder an audience. It is too late to change the programme now, but perhaps a sign at the entrance to the auditorium....?
I'm told the play was published in 1970, but it seems older. Can it really be only 30 years ago that female characters were delivering dialogue along the lines of, "The most important thing a woman can do is to look beautiful for her man," and, "Flunk that school test, Honey - men don't like girls who are too smart."?
Don't get me wrong, this was a very enjoyable play: funny and dramatic, but also providing an insight into anachronistic thought processes and attitudes. You can't go wrong with an effective mix of drama and comedy by Neil Simon.
JB
RE: The Gingerbread Lady
Fri, 29 Mar 2002, 08:38 amWalter Plinge
I am at a loss to understand the "often seen on this page wearing a Greek headpiece"!
Are you trying to be clever, or poking fun ?
I am " fourth generation Australian" . My great grandparents surnames were, Horgan, Kenny, Brooks, Smith, Mckenzie, and Wyatt, very much an English, Irish, Scottish mix....a Celt.
So much for your Greek headpiece.
I have been happily married to John Ventouras an Australian born Greek for 32 years. The reason for changing back to my maiden name for Theatre work, was that an English/ Australian male director, said to me, "I couldn't cast you in this role you are far too 'ethnic looking' ".
Now you know,
Chandra Ventouras, and proud of it.
Are you trying to be clever, or poking fun ?
I am " fourth generation Australian" . My great grandparents surnames were, Horgan, Kenny, Brooks, Smith, Mckenzie, and Wyatt, very much an English, Irish, Scottish mix....a Celt.
So much for your Greek headpiece.
I have been happily married to John Ventouras an Australian born Greek for 32 years. The reason for changing back to my maiden name for Theatre work, was that an English/ Australian male director, said to me, "I couldn't cast you in this role you are far too 'ethnic looking' ".
Now you know,
Chandra Ventouras, and proud of it.