Review: Jake's Women

I went along to see Jake's Women last night, playing at the Old Mill Theatre in South Perth. I had already seen the screen version with Alan Alda playing the main role and was interested to see how director Simon James would go with tackling such a complex play. Well I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Not only has James done an excellent job with this one but I particularly enjoyed his de-Americanisation, or I guess more precisely you could say, “West Australianisation” of the play. The play itself could, without the right direction, or cast, easily become to heavy to watch. It follows the main character Jake (a writer with an interesting form of writer’s block) as he struggles through a difficult transition period in his life, calling on imaginary women from both his past and present to help him at different personally challenging times. Certainly it treads a fine line at times however gladly I can report that at no time did I find the content overly heavy or intense. In fact the fine line between comedy and serious drama was carried off beautifully with the cast timing their lines and gags perfectly to the delight of a near full house. Special mention must be made of the main characters played by David Cotgreave (Jake) and Vanessa Harding (Maggie his wife). They both did an amazing job especially David who I found extremely convincing, it was interesting watch him portray his character’s emotional decline as the play progressed. Twelve year old Amelia McLaughlin-Jones (Young Molly) lit up the stage every time she appeared and for such a little one, timed her gags with a perfection that some actors twice her don’t manage. Additionally the scene involving Siobhan Donald (Sheila the girlfriend) was brilliant; she had the entire audience beside themselves with laughter. To be fair the entire cast of eight was just fantastic! All in all I'd have to give Simon James' adaptation of Jake's Women a resounding 10/10. If you haven't seen it yet make sure you get along before it finishes. Tickets are a very moderate price and the Old Mill Theatre is well worth experiencing in itself. While you are sitting there make sure you take notice of the set, the detail is just amazing. Well done to all those involved behind the scenes. This is the kind of theatre I want to see more of in the West.

I should have added in my previous review... watch out for Nicola Sarah Ward (Older Molly), just an amazing young actress, very real, so real in fact almost too real. I actually felt tense myself when she finally confronted her dad (Jake),then I had to remind my self ... this isn't real, it's theatre! An absolutely amazingly gifted actress, well done Nicola.

Thanks for your comment Grant. I will follow those guidelines in the future however this time in writing I wasn't sure whether or not to mention that familial connection for the following reason. I previously noted in a review for "Annie" at the Regal, some time back now, that I was reviewing a show that a family member was in. In that particular review I made absolutely no specific mention of the family member involved, but did however highlight the connection. I asked the readers however to understand that I was writing the review to suppport a show, which I really thought was brilliant, and my position was not (as much (as I could help it anyway)biased. At that time practically every reviewer was bad-mouthing "Annie", on account of ticket prices alone, none had I think even seen the show. I had hoped my comment would instead open up the column to more constructive feedback about the show itself. Instead however my review was completely slammed "rudely" as being biased specifically because of the family connection which was mentioned and therefor was not taken seriously at all. This time in writing, because again I really wanted to review a show which I thought was just absolutely brilliant, I decided not to mention the family connection for fear that again I would be slammed and my review, the first written on this show, would again be discarded as biased. I cetainly didn't want to begin a bad thread. That was my reasoning for not mentioning the connection this time. So Grant, I appreciate your feedback and will follow your guidelines in future however, I hope that your readers will have the "openeness of mind" and respond appropriately when a family member writes in. Our opinions should not be immediately slammed as biased, but considered openly along with other reviews. Personally I would now like to take the opportunity to back "openly" everything which I have said in all of my reviews about this current show. It is absolutely brilliant and I hope as many people as possible can find the time to go along and see the show. I don't know much about Simon's past, but his direction of this show was superb. All cast and crew were brilliant, and yes I repeat that I did think that Amelia literally lit up the stage when she appeared (How could a little 12 year old in an adult show not do so). Your readers can be the judge, but please judge by actually going to see the shoe first! Heidi MacGodden (aka Amelia's mum).

Same should apply to this site. theatre australia | your portal for australian theatre ITA is the umbrella organization for community, amateur and independent theatre in Western Australia. The site is a focal point and meeting place for anyone with an interest in ... www.theatre.asn.au · Cached page

Why not review a show where you have no connection and then any accusations of bias (whether warranted or not) can't be pointed at you? Imagine Kevin Rudd wrote a review of his teenage son's pantomime? He might have the best intentions but the "bias claim" would be thrown at him in an instant.

Nice catch Grant. To the Walter who replied to Grant, your comment certainly made no sense to me... Heidi. I can't speak to the Annie incident, but in this case I think you've possibly done more to harm this shows credibility than to help it. I would suggest that, at least for me personally, I find your review a little hard to take first of all because it is so very glowing. Now, I'm a very fussy bugger, but it's unusual to me for even a professional level show to have no faults. Perhaps if you nit picked a little more, gave some constructive criticism or your opinion on things that could be done differently, it might be easier to take your review seriously. Now while in the Annie review you did not mention your family member, in this one you clearly did and showered her with praise. And to top it off, you lied about your connection, only coming clean when caught. It does make it rather hard to take anything you've said abut the production seriously. So, I guess my point is if you don't want people to brush off your reviews as biased, then try to make them sound a bit less one sided. Definitely continue to reveal any connection. And as I believe someone else has suggested, perhaps review some plays you're not connected to to help build credibility. That's my opinion anyway. Break a leg to your daughter. Chookas to the show. I'm in the middle of Uni exams at the moment so won't be able to get along to see it I don't think. Hope the season goes well.

I have to agree. Honesty is the best policy. Deception in this case, no matter how well intended, has ruined the review's credibility.

bugger, all this palava takes away from the fact that its a damn good production. but yes i am biased cos i'm in it!!! lol gailx