Soup

Soup is based on the idea that ‘Men are the only ones with the right to talk about Women’s bodies’. As such, all of the women in this short play dealing with women’s issues are played by men.

Chelsea, played sensitively by Maximillian Strzelecki, is recovering from a medical intervention. As she recovers she is comforted by her sister Lisa (a believable Sean Crofton), heavily questioned and unnerved by busybody friend Jess (a dynamic Patrick McCarthy) and politicised by flatmate Kim (a highly charged Isaac “Spike” Powell). Lovely teamwork in this solid ensemble cast.

The gender switch of the actors is an effort to show how important issues concerning women’s health and their bodies are "controlled by people who will never have to consider their personal health when it comes to these issues”. The device works, in that it highlights for the audience how we perceive different opinions, depending on whether the voice is male or female.

On opening night the show was battling noticeable noise pollution from a show in an adjoining venue. A small issue and the actors were unfazed. The Supper Room space is a lovely intimate performance room. The set was simple, but well created, and the audio-visual text messages were nicely executed and a show highlight.

An emerging young writer/director, with a young and talented cast, this is clearly a passion piece, with some great messages. Well written, with lovely dialogue, it is clever, strategically economic in both writing and style and a great conversation starter.

Lovers of satire, those interested in gender politics and fans of well constructed short plays, will enjoy this interesting new production.

Kimberley Shaw

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