Don’t Dress for Dinner

Don’t Dress for Dinner is a fast and funny farce, and an amusing evening of mind-twisting fibs, truth entanglements and wit.  It is set in a renovated farmhouse in France, where Bernard the philandering husband is sending his wife Jacqueline to her mother’s house for the weekend. His plans are messed up by the early arrival of Robert, his friend, as well as the arrival of Suzy the caterer, and Jacqueline changing her plans.

The standout casting of Peter Holland as Bernard and Rob de Fries as Robert was inspired, as both men appear to relish the roles and bring the right level of levity, desperation, bewilderment and triumph to each character. Direction by Walter Learning shows perfect timing and tight direction with no wasted moments. Physical comedy is under control, and there are many laugh-out-loud moments.

Natalie Waldron who plays Suzette the caterer shows the character’s wit and sharp mind. Monique Dyson plays Jacqueline, Bernard’s wife and Michelle Cooper plays Suzanne, the mistress

The set evokes the renovated farmhouse perfectly, with the right touches of rusticity. Kudos to Andrew Kay and the set construction crew. Dashing in and out of doors (four in this particular set) as well as disappearing up the staircase gives the set a good work out.

This play makes a welcome addition to the tradition of an amusing farce to finish the season at Canberra Rep.

Rachel McGrath-Kerr

Photographer: Helen Drum