Marjorie Prime

Roxy Lane Theatre’s latest offering, the Pulitzer short-listed Marjorie Prime, is a nicely presented look at aging, memory and artificial intelligence, that leaves its audience thinking.

Set in the near future, 86 year old Marjorie is beginning to show signs of dementia. Her family introduces a lifelike holographic “Prime” to help her retain her memories, in the form of a younger version of her husband - Walter Prime.

Played on a single set, in Marjorie’s modern living room and kitchen, Jim Chantry and Liza Black’s scenic design users warm wooden furnishings and legs, a lovely contrast to the technology being explored. The space is well dressed by Kirsten Halford Bailey, and Katherine Robertson provides very appropriate lighting design, although I would have enjoyed some music to cover scene changes. Celeste Lopex and the cast have selected costumes well to be true to character.

Janet Dickinson, like many of the cast, is a Busselton export, and she is of a similar age to her character. Delivering a very impressive performance as the titular Marjorie, she anchors the show beautifully. Her daughter Tessa is played by director Liza Black pulling double duty, doing a good job, although seemingly a little unsure of lines on Opening Night. Chris Harris, Roxy Lane regular, provides very solid support as son-in-law Chris Harris, himself a pillar of support.

Walter Prime, a recreation of sorts of Marjorie’s husband in his early thirties, was played on Opening Night by Finn Happ, who was impressive in this challenging and unusual role. He shares the role with Sam Yeo. 

This is a fascinating story, if a little confronting (Lifeline details are readily available, and Front of House are ready to provide company and a cup-of-tea for anyone who finds the issues too much). Well worth the look if you enjoy thought provoking, well performed theatre. A little under attended on Opening Night, this is a show that is well worth a look.

Kimberley Shaw