Get Gary

Sydney playwright Rachel Musgrove's play, Get Gary, put on by Phantom Productions and directed by Henry Jennings, looks at the bizarre goings of a bunch of hapless, bumbling criminals.

Get Gary is set amongst low-life in 1980's London. The play opens with Ollie and Steve planning to kidnap Gary, pocket the ransom money and of all things set up a mobile dog grooming service. Everything goes wrong with their plan, starting off with kidnapping the wrong man. The more that Ollie and Steve try to get things sorted, the more trouble that the criminal duo get into, and it's little surprise that they end up behind bars.

Get Gary was very average fringe theatre fare. Musgrove's script covers very well worn territory that has already been well served, especially at the movies. The only real joy came from the performances, with the actors who come across as having fun playing their characters.

Andy Leonard played the tough, no-nonsense crim Steve who becomes increasingly frustrated by everything falling apart around him. Mark Dessaix played his not very bright offsider, Oli. Dan Balcaban was waiter, Sid, who decides to go over to the dark side by taking on a criminal job. Pat Brennan played television celebrity, Alan, the unfortunate victim of the botched up kidnap attempt.

David Kary

Get Gary plays the Newtown Theatre, corner King and Bray streets, for a three week season that closes on Saturday September 5.