Soulmates

Soulmates
By David Williamson. Hobart Repertory Theatre Society Playhouse Theatre, Hobart. Director: Meredith McQueen. 26 October – 10 November, 2102

Revenge is a dish best served funny. What better way for a playwright to get back at critics than to write a thinly disguised dig at his enemy? Hobart Repertory Theatre took on the David Williamson play Soulmates and imbued it with humour but possibly less spite than the original version in 2002.

Writing post 9/11, Williamson applied his unforgiving humour to the business of literature, books, authors, and the readers who love them both in this still relevant play. Central character Katie is based on Williamson’s friend and willing collaborator Kathy Lette. Katherine Noonan as Katie was a “gorgeous-darling” impression of a popular, and therefore successful and rich writer, who so incensed snobby, pretentious and bitter reviewer Danny (Peter Miller). A feud begins, with Noonan outpacing Miller, who didn’t quite have the venom required to make the ensuing plot feasible. After a slow-ish start, smart line after biting joke kept the audience howling.

Director Meredith McQueen relied on the inherent clichés in the story and the almost-caricature personalities to drag every laugh out of the play. Steven Jones was suitably sleazy as literary genius Max, whose exploitation of the emotions of gullible Heather (Melanie Brown) left the audience laughing, gasping and almost hissing. Leigh Faulkner gave a good performance as Danny’s friend Greg.

Set in Melbourne and New York, this tale of revenge is played in several different locations, with almost seamless scene changes. Another excellent ensemble piece, all cast members were in sync and obviously enjoyed the play. If the meter was on, I’m sure it would have hit about 9½ on the laughter scale. Well done. 

Merlene Abbott

Photographer: Wayne Wagg.

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