Elise Hawthorne
David Williamson’s final ever play Crunch Time is an astute commentary on family dynamics with death, love and sibling rivalry fully front and centre. The dialogue between characters cuts deep, running the gamut of human emotions, exposing feelings and at times memories that I’m sure most sitting in the audience could relate to.
Crunch Time dwells on the power and fragility of family love, and the often-tricky interpersonal dance involved when hanging out with loved ones. Think Christmas lunch, a wedding or as in Crunch Time, a loved one’s imminent death. It’s all about unfinished business; mostly emotional in kind.
Crunch Times hammers home how one thoughtless action can backfire, leading to years of estrangement between family members – exploring the toll that takes on all involved. Feeling like one is the family outcast doesn’t usually sit well with anyone who has ever been in that position. Such is the lot of the character Luke, played so wonderfully by Guy Edmonds. It seems Edmonds can morph from a nerdy man child to a “great hunk of spunk” as Cath from Cath & Kim would so expertly put it.
To sum up the family dynamic in this heartfelt play, Steve is the typical Aussie bloke, self-assured, social and sports-mad. Recently retired from a high-flying career, he’s passed the family business over to his son Jimmy — a chip off the old block. But his eldest son Luke, an engineer with more of an interest in algebra than AFL, has never quite seen eye-to-eye with his dad and they haven’t spoken in seven years. When Steve suddenly falls ill, time is running out to repair their broken relationship — and Luke and Jimmy will have to go to extreme lengths to fulfil their father’s final wishes.
Steve’s wife Helen is the glue that keeps the whole show aka family on the road. Played superbly by veteran actor Diane Craig, she is a wife, mother and mother-in-law, always it seems, trying to please the men in her life – no easy task considering the family dynamics. John Wood plays Steve to perfection, what more needs to be said about this fine Australian actor, he is talent personified.
Matt Minto’s Jimmy is a real Alpha male, mixed with an occasional touch of sensitivity thrown into the mix. Matt has a commanding presence; he knows how to hold an audience in the palm of his hand. Megan Drury as Susy and Emma Palmer as Lauren give strong performances as the wives of the brothers; each revealing their characters qualities, good and bad, with skill and emotional depth.
Ensemble Theatre’s Artistic Director Mark Kilmurry once again uses his undeniable talent to take the audience on a heartfelt journey, making this particular audience member laugh and cry in equal measure.
David Williamson is one of Australia’s most prolific and celebrated playwrights; he mastered the craft years ago, bon voyage Mr Williamson, I salute you.
The last word belongs to the master playwright himself.
“This is genuinely my last play. I’ve had a wonderful fifty years in the theatre and my time at the Ensemble has been particularly dear to me, so I’d like to thank Sandra Bates for her enthusiasm and belief in my work and Mark Kilmurry and all the wonderful people at the Ensemble for all the love, support and friendship they’ve given me. And of course, for staging so many wonderful productions of my work with top line casts — the cast I have for Crunch Time is one of the very best.” David Williamson
Crunch Time by David Williamson, directed by Mark Kilmurry
Cast:
Diane Craig – Helen
Megan Drury – Helen
Guy Edmonds – Luke
Matt Minto – Jimmy
Emma Palmer – Lauren
John Wood – Steve
Top photo: Diane Craig and John Wood
All photo © Prudence Upton
Venue: Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St, Kirribilli
Dates: Now – 9 April 2020
Performance times: vary
Bookings: 02 8918 3400 or www.ensemble.com.au
Running time: approx. 2 hours 10 minutes, including interval
Get Social