Elise Hawthorne
The Ensemble Theatre’s latest production doesn’t disappoint. Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple is a rollicking good story – an escape from reality, yet at the same time, it somehow feels very real, well to me anyway.
We’ve more than likely all known characters like Felix Unger and Oscar Madison at some time in our lives – hell, some of us may even be married to one of them or a mix of both personality types – myself included. Spoiler alert, in my opinion I got lucky and scored a Felix type of husband; the kind that does housework without being asked, he who cooks dinner every night – yet at other times, goes all Oscar-like with his addiction to watching (not participating in) a variety of sports, but I digress.
If you are of a certain age, you will have fond memories of watching Tony Randall and Jack Klugman’s brilliant portrayal of The Odd Couple on TV in the 1970s; certainly, a hard act to follow.
Nevertheless, in the current Ensemble production, Brian Meegan as Felix and Steve Rodgers as Oscar are downright hilarious. Meegan and Rodgers do the situation comedy genre proud with their portrayal of these two seemingly ordinary men, each vastly different from the other.
Oscar likes cards, sports, and eating leftovers. Neurotic neat freak Felix likes clean air, polished surfaces and cooking. They are an odd couple just trying to navigate the ups and downs of life.
When recently divorced Oscar invites getting-divorced Felix to share his New York apartment, it might not improve their friendship. In fact, it might just ruin it. Will Felix survive late nights, TV dinners and yesterday’s towels? And will Oscar survive drink coasters, clean ashtrays and the recipe for London broil?
Despite Oscar’s problems – careless spending, excessive gambling, a poorly kept house filled with spoiled food – he seems to enjoy life. Felix, however, seems utterly incapable of enjoying anything and only finds purpose in pointing out his own and other people’s mistakes and foibles. Oscar, his closest friend, feels compelled to throw him out after only a brief time together, though he quickly realises that Felix has had a positive effect on him after all.
The supporting cast is terrific. Special mention goes to Nicholas Papademetriou as poker playing mate Vinnie, who in my opinion nearly steals the show. Papademetriou’s Vinnie is adorable; he deserves a production of his own.
Katie Fitchett as Gwendolyn and Olivia Pigeot as her sister Cecily brings a charming feminine touch to the storyline, infusing the play with hilarious one-liners, and a bit of sex appeal to the odd couple’s lives.
If you want to laugh out loud for the duration of a play, this is the production for you. Well done to everyone involved. Director Mark Kilmurry’s deft interpretation of this iconic play written by legendary playwright Neil Simon is spot on as is the set, sound, lighting and costume design which takes the audience back in time. A definite must-see in my books.
DIRECTOR: Mark Kilmurry
CAST: Laurence Coy, Katie Fitchett, Rob Jago, James Lugton, Brian Meegan, Nicholas Papademetriou, Olivia Pigeot + Steve Rodgers
All photo by Prudence Upton
VENUE: Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St, Kirribilli
DATES: Now to 30 December 2019
PERFORMANCE TIMES: vary
PRICES: $43-$78 (booking charges may apply)
BOOKINGS: 02 8918 3400 or www.ensemble.com.au
RUNNING TIME: Approx. 2 hours 20 minutes including interval.
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