Boston Marriage

Butterfly Theatre and Burnside Players’ collaboration in producing David Mamet’s Boston Marriage is supported wonderfully by a spiky, caustic script that spits and crackles with fiery language.

It is the turn of the 20^th century and Anna (Bronwyn Ruciak) is the fashionable mistress of a wealthy man. She now has the finances to support her long-term companion, Claire (Cheryl Douglas), with whom her real desires lie. Claire, on the other hand has been captivated by a younger woman. Claire is desperate to arrange an assignation with her new favour and desires the seduction to be held at Anna’s place. This is an unconventional household.

Claire and Anna’s relationship is tumultuous and their exchanges are made more amusing with the use of heightened and mannered language. Insults, lies and racy wit, combined with blatant linguistic anachronisms are delivered at a rapid pace.

Bronwyn Ruciak is excellent as Anna. With a strong voice and a cutting delivery she shows furious and hilarious contempt for her maid Catherine (Genevieve Williamson), whilst trying to gain the upper hand with her relationship with Claire.

Cheryl Douglas is superb as Claire.  She brings out the character’s intellectual strength and confidence. There is a sense of reality as she hides her emotions behind the mean barbs and crisp volleying of words.

Genevieve Williamson plays Catherine, the maid that Anna bluntly bullies and continually insists is Irish. Williamson is farcically humorous and this contrasting comedy style contributes a melodramatic flavour to the circumstances.

The focus, between Ruciak and Douglas in particular, is admirable.  Despite a small wardrobe malfunction and outside sound distractions, the performers didn’t miss a beat.   Under Geoff Brittain’s direction they move deftly on the small set whilst effortlessly managing the skirts of their late Victorian costumes. 

Staged at the Wheatsheaf Hotel as part of Feast Festival, Boston Marriage is an entertaining and satirical look at the destruction of a complicated, unusual relationship.

Sharon Malujlo

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