The Clean House
This modern production about cleanliness, or lack of, in one’s life delivers an almost cinematic experience for audiences. Moving text on stage, quick and vibrantly dramatic atmospheric changes were all part of the very impressive design.
Queensland Theatre Company and Black Swan State Theatre CompanyCremorne Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane Friday, 2 July, 2010
This modern production about cleanliness, or lack of, in one’s life delivers an almost cinematic experience for audiences. Moving text on stage, quick and vibrantly dramatic atmospheric changes were all part of the very impressive design.
Director Kate Cherry has bound the genius of the design, lighting and brilliant acting to deliver the comedy’s sharpness with a fluid and rapid pace. The story surrounds Matilde, a young Brazilian woman who has moved to America after the death of her parents. Her mother died laughing, and as a result her father suicided. She is hired as a maid by Dr Lane, but the problem is she hates to clean. She would rather spend her time making people laugh and formulating “the perfect joke”, which she fears would kill someone if she told it. Fortunately for Matilde, Lane’s sister Virginia lives to clean, and agrees to service Lane’s house in secret. Things are going along smoothly until Lane discovers her husband is having an affair with one of his cancer patients, Ana. Faced with the reality that her life hasn’t been what she thought, Lane turns to Matilde, Virginia, and even Ana for support. It’s an unlikely situation that allows characters to delve into what it means to let your life run out of control – and poses the question, is a clean house really that important? You can explore this one as deep as you like. It’s really a never ending well of metaphors and meanings. But it’s also simply an enjoyable story that will make you smile. Brooke Satchwell shone in her role of Matilde. Her Portuguese accent was stunning and added to her brilliantly delivered comedy so well. Lane was portrayed with a mask of self-confidence by Sarah McNeill, which was later offset by an unravelling of insecurities and doubts. It was an enjoyable performance to watch, particularly when played off her intriguing sister Virginia, portrayed beautifully by Carol Burns. Hugh Parker, who is a dead ringer for English actor Colin Firth, was a bright and humorous Charles, learning to cope in his new found soul-mate relationship with Ana. Vivienne Garrett was the very loveable and enlightened Ana, who provides an interesting twist in the second Act. Andrew Bellchambers created the elaborate set with a cleanly downstairs area for Lane’s home, and a striking upstairs balcony for Ana’s place. Lighting by David Murray delivered subtle but effective moods representing the different times of day and reflecting the action taking place. Visual text scrolling across and down set gave a contemporary feel to the play, which was reinforced by Ash Gibson Greig’s the animated sound. The Clean House is a sharp, and in some ways off-beat, story that allows its audience to probe as much as it likes, or just sit back and enjoy the ride. Bookings: Call 136 246 Until 31 July 2010
