Dinner

The opening of Black Swan's 2015 season, is a high impact production of Moira Buffini's Dinner - a gorgeously designed and sumptuously performed production.

Billed as a WA Premiere (which overlooks community theatre Playlovers' production of Dinner from around 2006), it is one of the strongest productions to emerge from Black Swan in recent years.

Trent Suidgeest's lighting design makes the most of the oppressive fog often referred to in the dialogue, and the dining room setting, like the hostess of this nightmare dinner party, reeks of wealth, is strikingly beautiful, but is cold and hard.

Thoughtful design also extended to Ash Gibson Greig's sound design and composition which begins beautifully and elegantly and cleverly accompanied the degradation of appearances and manners (and perhaps sanity) as the evening progressed.

India Mehta designed clever props and her costume approach included using three local designers to create the striking costumes worn by the women.

The performances were outstanding. Tasma Walton was captivating as elegantly unhinged central character Paige, nicely matched with idealistic husband Lars  - well played by Steve Turner.

Alison Van Reeken shone as vegetarian artist Wynne, while Rebecca Davis and Greg McNeill worked wonderfully as warring couple Sian and Hal. Stuart Halusz seemed a perfect choice as surprise interloper, Mike, while Kenneth Ransome had excellent presence in his close to wordless role as the mysterious waiter.

Director Kate Cherry and her team sustain tension well over the 110 minute play with no interval. The well used and well timed revolve keeps all characters well highlighted despite the dinner party setting and the pace is excellent. 

While Dinner tells of the worst dinner party one can imagine, and the subject matter isn't always palatable, it remains a feast for theatregoers and well worth a taste.

Kimberley Shaw

Images: Steve Turner and Tasma Walton, & Kenneth Ransom, Greg McNeill, Tasma Walton, Alison van Reeken, Rebecca Davis and Steve Turner. Dinner. Photographer: Gary Marsh