Fat Pig

‘Fat Pig’ is another play about cold-hearted men from the controversial American playwright, Neil LaBute - who has just turned 50. This confrontational play, which is presented by Ali van Reeken and Benj D’Addario’s award winning production company, Red Ryder Productions, is showing in the main theatre at the Blue Room, 53 James Street, Northbridge. The 75-minute performances begin at 7.00 pm nightly until Saturday 8^th June.

       In a lunch bar is sitting an attractive, cherubically generous young lady, Helen (Alicia Osyka). Just as she is starting to tuck into her laden tray of food, with such goodies as pizza and a couple of sweets, a tall thin, shy young man, Tom (Brendan Ewing) approaches her table with his tray of water and a fresh green salad. Helen moves her bag and invites him to join her.

       It soon becomes obvious that Tom is not a ‘people’s person’, he is nervous and any humour goes straight over his head. However, Helen’s warmth and honesty, along with a self-confidence that Tom has never had, soon has him asking her out on a date. Later, back in the office, Tom tells his work colleague, the egotistical Carter (Will O’Mahony) the most politically incorrect person that you will ever experience, that he has met a girl at lunch. 

      ‘By chance’ Carter bumps into Helen and Tom in a restaurant. Carter finds ‘the fat bird’ a big laugh, and being the office gossip it is only minutes before he tells the business accountant, Jeannie (Georgia King), a gorgeous blonde with a perfect figure, all about Helen. Immediately, Jeannie storms into Tom’s office wanting to know if she has been ditched. 

      Having the courage to state his mind comes very difficult to Tom, and he havers. When Jeannie finds out from Carter that Helen is a ‘Fat Pig’, her pride is shattered and she becomes even more vindictive - Tom is doomed.

      How will Tom’s new love affair develop? Will Tom regain his self-confidence? Will Carter get his comeuppance?

Multi-award winning director, Emily McLean has gathered a brilliant cast, and with her assistant director Ian Sinclair, guided them skilfully through this morally incorrect, maliciously distressing dark tale. Ewing, whom I consider an extremely gifted actor has yet to be fully recognised for his immense talent, conquers all of the nervous traits of this cowardly young man who just cannot face the truth. His character’s apprehension is not helped by the provocative, slimy performance of O’Mahony, who throughout the play seems to hover like a vulture waiting to swoop and mock. He has the audience gasping out loud at many of his comments. Another top notch performance from Will.

Now to the women, the real stars of the show. The delightful Alicia Osyka really grabs your heart, even the worst male chauvinist must have suffered along with this poor girl in this sensitive portrayal. Finally the bitch – Georgia King had venom oozing out of every pore, super electrifying performance.

The cast were well trained by stage manager Meabh Walton to carry out quite complex scene changes, rapidly. With the ingeniously designed, ‘transformer’ furniture (Fiona Bruce) what was a café counter one minute, became a high class office desk the next; this allowed the play’s pace during set changes to be retained. The lighting was by Joe Lui; he picked out the areas of action carefully, and then assessed the lighting level and colour temperature. With careful control, he allowed scenes to change from a warm welcoming, secure glow to a chilly north light blue white glare as the tempers and anger arose.

This is the kind of play that requires a perfectly tuned cast. The leading lady has to be able to handle some really terrible comments about her weight; the others had very complex characters, the qualities of which were fed slowly to the audience. The subtle performances were outstanding. Very funny, but with a tender and sad sub-theme.

Enthusiastically received and highly recommended.