Jack and Jill

‘Jack and Jill’ is a contemporary play by prize winning WA writer, Jessica Craig-Piper. It premieres at the Blue Room Studio,

53 James Street

, Northbridge until Saturday 25^th September, with all shows at 8.30 pm.

 

 

          In a run down house in Perth, artist/ model Jillian Stewart (Laura Jayne Henderson) has just received a phone call from the hospital. Her estranged father has died. Despite being smart and well organised, this is the start of another crap day for Jill.

        Jill’s housemates are scruffy, tattooed drop-out, ‘Bear’ (Lawrence Ashford) and his bubbly, but strange, girlfriend Florence (Zoë Cooper). To the disgust of others, Florence enthuses over her very unusual artistic hobby. The three put up with each other, Bear and Florence thinking how very strange Jill is, because she is normal!

        Another phone call for Jill informs her that her half brother, Christopher (Keir Wilkins), whom she has never met, is coming to Perth for their father’s funeral and that he will be staying with them. When this shy, Narembeen daggy ‘virgin’ arrives, Bear and Florence think it only right that they show him the sights and introduce him to ‘real’ living.

 

Jessica Craig-Piper has written an unusual and fresh storyline, with a great deal of skill. The dialogue was exceptional. She has developed four very solid and well-defined characters. The script in the last 20 minutes of this 90-minute play could have been thinned out, but the audience were held in smiling amazement as the story unfolded. Along with producer Jamie McGleave, they have chosen the perfect cast. Laura plays the delicate and caring sister, protecting the gullible and innocent country relative against the worst that the youth of today has to offer.

Jessica Craig-Piper directed the cast with imagination. There was plenty of movement and for us oldies, an insight of today’s weekend parties. Simone Ruggiero capably dramaturged and assisted the director.

The lighting design by Stephen Warren was inventive and adeptly operated by Alice Hatton. Stephen’s set was one of the best that I have seen recently at the Blue Room. The variety of music from The Men from Another Place brought a few smiles to the faces.

An extremely hilarious adult play, with very dark undertones. It is a long time since I have seen an encore demanded at the Blue Room. It is sure to be a season winner.