The Psychic

Absorbed in Adelaide Repertory Theatre’s current production of Sam Bobrick’s The Psychic I found myself back in my teens and remembering how much I had loved the wonderful and very funny characters in the Damon Runyon fictional stories that my father introduced to me. Full of detailed imagery about the hustlers and gangsters of the big cities of prohibition-era America, the characters were larger-than-life, with their distinctive vernacular style being a signature part of the writing. The musical Guys and Dolls is based on two of Runyon’s short stories.

While The Psychic’s story is unusually quirky, the writing is not as clever and evocative as Runyon’s. However, some of the characters are quite ‘Runyonesque’ and there are plenty of laughs.

Adam Webster is a struggling writer of mystery stories who lives in a seedy basement apartment. He hasn’t yet made his mark with a good story plot, so in order to make money, sets himself up as a psychic, but with no previous experience or apparent talent for the role. His only advertising is a scribbled sign in one of his grimy street-level windows. When Laura Benson sees the sign she comes in for advice, receiving a sudden and unexpected psychic warning from Adam. This sets in place a sequence of visitors and events that multiply the complications in the lives of all involved.

Playing the straight man to these quirky visitors, Josh van’t Padje is very natural and controlled as Adam Webster and maintains the American accent evenly throughout; a very good performance.

Anita Pipprell does well as Laura Benson, but needs to project her voice more strongly.

Fresh from his major role recently in M.Butterfly, James Whitrow is menacing yet funny in a smaller role here, as gangster type, Roy Benson.

Jessica McGaffin brings needed energy and pace to the stage in her brief but hysterically funny appearance as Rita Malone.

James Black steals the limelight with his very ‘Runyonesque’ character, Johnny Bubbles - spats and all.

As Detective Norris Coslow, Malcolm Walton has some nice and very amusing moments but on opening night seemed a tad unprepared at times in terms of lines and accent.

Director Erik Strauts ensures actors make very funny use of both body language and descriptive gesture to add much to the humour in this comedy.

Set design by Patrick Beagan is very fine, while sound, lighting and costumes are excellent, each adding terrific touches to the overall atmosphere of cartoonish colour and suspense.

While this is an enjoyable show and has the audience laughing, perhaps more could be made of its snappy one-liners. There’s a slightly languid feel to the production that may be dispelled by improved volume from one or two actors and generally crisper pace.

Overall, The Psychic is an amusing comedy with some unusual twists and turns and not a little suspense to keep its audiences engaged.

Lesley Reed