DealerÂ’s Choice virtually flawless

Before I begin let me lay a self-interested truth on the table – I have been heavily involved in publicising Dealer’s Choice – pitching stories to the media, researching and writing press friendly material. I therefore know the play well. I know the background against which it was written. I know Marber’s lexicon of subsequent work. YOU’ve all seen the film ‘Closer’ - I’ve read all the international critique’s of his work. So in your estimation, with all this baggage, am I advantaged or disadvantaged in finally experiencing this play on stage for the first time?

Whatever.

There was so little on which one could fault this production in the final analysis – if you read my review of States of Shock you’ll realise how effusive I can be – States of Shock being a nonlinear, surrealistic, leave you with an impression piece, is highly theatrical. Dealer’s Choice contrastingly, is a more typical linear story – an out an out comedy – written by someone who had proved their ability to write comedy for TV in the decade prior to writing this play. Yeah Marber can write. Really write.

In the hands of the less practiced, a production of Dealer’s could be a woeful dogs breakfast – from the performers it demands pace of thought, and a proven ability to play comedy – its full of routines – like Commedia – ribbons of interest connecting routines of high comedy. Tonight I saw five performers playing without fear, and one who having got through the nervousness of an opening night will undoubtedly settle. This production is far from a dogs dinner - taking the restaurant setting as my cue, its more a rare steak.

But perhaps I am too close – too pernicity - the audience around me – and let us note again this was an opening night audience (and from personal experience they are the most judgmental, standoffish, prove to me your worth type of audience of peers and critics) - the opening night audience gave such enthusiastic applause, that as a member of the publicity team I grinned from ear to ear.

Mind you, as an audience member I was grinning already of course – I spent most of the first half grinning – when I wasn’t laughing I was grinning – Stephen Lee said to me at interval ‘mostly when I see a play I don’t like the characters on stage – this play makes me want to know what happens to these people’ – Australian playwright of the moment Reg Cribb said to me at interval ‘ and that was his first play?!’ and again after the show ‘most English drama is full of angry people – and that was his first play!?’. That a first play should be such a huge hit is amazing. [I'll post the whole PR road accident later]

You get he drift? Luminaries of the Perth stage are impressed with the writing, and the production values. Hats off to director Emily McLean - look for her future direction - its confident and articulate.

A litmus of a plays success is often asking the question ‘will you see it again?’ – I whole heatedly declare yes - I want to – I want to see all six of the ensemble fire together – which will happen. The opening is only their second performance in front of an audience. Audiences bring an energy into a space that demands the performers look after it, and when the pace of play is so real, so akin to the drive of real relationships, taking on board the energy and needs of this other character, the audience, does take time for a performer to enmesh.

Because its a comedy, the big reviewers in town havenÂ’t been invited till Saturday night, by which time I fully expect this production to be firing on all cylinders. So look for those reviews hopefully Tuesday of next week.

PS if Damon Lockwood doesnÂ’t get nominated in the Equity Guild Awards for a best actor award IÂ’ll eat my hat. One of the best comedy performances you will ever see. I knew on first read this was MugsyÂ’s play, but to see that Damon would rival any actor in Australia for the role, in any venue, on any seaboard, was very gratifying - you'd would have to travel a long way to see a better interpretation of the role.
PPS I donÂ’t wear hats, so maybe IÂ’ll do something else excessive.

Enjoy the play and I look forward to reading your posts.