Cheaters

Cheaters
By Michael Jacobs. Galleon Theatre Group. Domain Theatre, Marion (SA). October 26-November 5, 2016

Theatre is wonderful in all its forms but a rollicking comedy is good for the soul and Adelaide’s Galleon Theatre Group recognises this. Comedy is all the company does, varying comedic genre through darkly black, gentle and poignant, to hilarious farce. Whatever the comedy fare, the company invariably serves it up well done.

Galleon recently won the Adelaide Theatre Guide Best Comedy Award for its 2015 production of Neil Simon’s Rumours and is currently presenting yet another of its twice-yearly comedy treats, Michael Jacobs’ Cheaters, directed by Brian Godfrey.

Cheaters is a hoot; entirely predictable, but hilarious nevertheless.

Michelle wants to be married, but live-in boyfriend Allen is unsure and won’t commit; does Michelle really want him or is she just in love with the idea of marriage? Their mothers and fathers are not much support, because unknown to Michelle and Allen, all four parents have their own problems-they are cheating outside their marriages.  The ensuing complications of these various angst-laden relationships come together in a farcical second act that has the audience in stitches.

Lindsay Dunn is very funny as hapless Howard, a man who has let an extra-marital affair run perhaps a little too long.  Andrew Clark is also very good as Sam, a man pining for his first love. Clark’s performance is up to his usual fine standard.

Anita Canala is excellent as novice cheater Grace and knows just how to use physical comedy to delicious effect, as demonstrated in the second act. Sharyn De Zolt is hilarious as long-time mistress Monica. De Zolt’s drunken strut around the stage in the second act brings roars of laughter, however her American accent is a little hit and miss.

Brittany Daw presents Michelle as an understated, sensible foil to the out-of-control parents and does this exceptionally well. Simon Lancione does a good job of the conflicted boyfriend Allen, but perhaps overdoes his expressions of mortified confusion, for example when his parents argue loudly in front of him.

Some actors have moments when they are difficult to hear from the mezzanine seating. This is due at times to not pausing during loud laughter, but for the female actors in particular, it’s also caused by lack of projection. Each issue, though minor, could easily be corrected.

Director Brian Godfrey uses the stage to its full potential and ensures the cracking pace needed for this type of play is present at all times and builds as the action becomes more manic.

The set is well-designed, allowing the backstage crew to work seamlessly and quickly to help create the setting changes, from various hotel rooms to Michelle and Allen’s apartment and even the parents’ living rooms. Lighting, sound, costumes, hair and makeup are all achieved with Galleon’s usual seemingly effortless professionalism.

The cheating couples on stage during the second act are intended to suffer a dinner of unappetising hot dogs, but the overall meal of comedy fare served up to the audience by Galleon is the cherry on the cake; Cheaters is very satisfying and very, very funny.

Lesley Reed

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