Gender Switch for Gold Coast Odd Couple
Oscar and Felix become Olive and Florence as Neil Simon's contemporary classic takes on a new twist at Javeenbah Theatre with The Odd Couple Female Version taking to the stage from July 13th – 28th.
With the script flipped to star ladies instead of gentlemen, Director Jim Dickson is thrilled to bring this unique but classic comedy to Javeenbah.
“The plot concerns two mismatched roommates, one neat and uptight, the other easygoing and slovenly – and as you can imagine this produces some hilarious back-and-forth,” he said.
“In the original script, the characters were male but Neil Simon re-wrote the play with females as the leads.”
“Fans of the original play will appreciate the style of humour and those who haven’t seen either are in for a real treat – it’s a great show with lots of laughs but also some touching moments.”
“We’re lucky to have an incredibly talented cast for this production and can’t wait to bring The Odd Couple Female Version to the stage.”
The Odd Couple Female Version plot sees uptight and recently separated Florence move in with self-confessed slob Olive - with hilarious results. Within days, Florence's obsessive habits start taking their toll on Olive and their friends and the only remedy Olive can think of - a pair of brothers from Barcelona - disastrously backfires. The two women are forced to agree on one thing -- even the best of friends sometimes make the worst of roommates.
We asked Virginia Leaver (Florence) and Marie Dickson (Olive)whether they identified with their own characters, or if they saw something of themselves in the other character.
Virginia Leaver, who plays neat-freak Florence, told Stage Whispers;
"The role of Flo is me! I am the person in the department stores who hangs the clothes that have fallen off the racks back onto their hangers and in the supermarket I will pick things up and put them back on the shelves - I cannot help myself!
"Living with Florence would be hell for poor Olive and one can understand why Florence also drove her husband away with her uptight ways. It's a very funny play and very true to life."
Marie Dickson (who plays slovenly Olive) told us:
"I really relate to both women, but am more like my character Olive than Florence in real life.
"While I wouldn't describe myself as a slob, I certainly like to relax when I'm at home. Olive is probably messier than I am, but I also 'leave a mess when I read a book'.
"On the other hand, I'm very punctual and side with Florence when Olive arrives home an hour and a half late after promising to be home in time to help prepare for their big date with the Spanish brothers."
The Odd Couple Female Versionruns Thursday, Fridays and Saturday nights from July 13th – 28th with a Sunday matinee on July 22nd. Tickets are from $10.00 and can be purchased online at www.javeenbah.org.au or by phoning (07) 5596 0300.
Images: Top: Virginia Leaver (Flo) and Marie Dickson (Olive) and lower Naomi Thompson (Renee), Wendy Spencer (Vera), Cecille Campbell (Mickey), Marie Dickson (Olive), Dawn China (Silvie).
More Reading
Community Theatre Seasons 2012 - www.stagewhispers.com.au/community-theatre/community-theatre-seasons-2012
More Community Theatre - www.stagewhispers.com.au/community-theatre
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