Review by Charlotte Purdy
Although written by an Australian this play finds itself quite at home in Auckland. Not only because of its well adapted local references but because there’s many Ruben Guthrie type characters popping into Prego and lounging in the Long Room who will relate to this play.
Ruben Guthrie (Oliver Driver) is an advertising creative with a huge ego and a glamorous life with all the accessories; including a drug and alcohol problem. His model girlfriend (Chelsie Preston) leaves him after another binge and this is the catalyst for Ruben to reluctantly join AA. Ruben journeys to the depths of his shallow life in a bid to understand why he’s the snorting, gulping hedonist that he is, taking his emotionally absent parents as his baggage.
Oliver Driver keeps up a ripping pace and gives a fantastic performance. He even makes us like Ruben despite his nagging narcissism giving us every reason not too. Dean Gorman is comical and charming playing the stereotyped gay friend. He even gets his kit off for the play which is admirable of any actor - as did Toni Potter who does a convincing and courageous job playing an ex alcoholic. Another notable performance was by Andrew Grainger who plays the advertising exec with downright dirtiness. Shane Bosher has done a great job selecting and directing the play giving it energy and giving us lots to laugh at.
The play is entertaining, humorous and engaging and will very much appeal to the urbanites its pitch at. However the writing keeps repeating one idea that after a while becomes a bit like watching Karen Walker paint dry - that society/friends/parents sanction alcoholism - yep we got it the first time thanks.
Ruben Guthrie
Running at the Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre until October 17.
Cast:
Ruben Guthrie: OLIVER DRIVER
Zoya: CHELSIE PRESTON CRAYFORD
Ray: ANDREW GRAINGER
Peter Guthrie: PETER ELLIOTT
Virginia: TONI POTTER
Susan Guthrie: ELLIE SMITH
Damian: DEAN O'GORMAN
Crew:
Direction: SHANE BOSHER
Written by: BRENDAN COWELL
Set design: JOHN VERRYT
Costume design: PETRA VERWEIJ
Lighting design: JANE HAKARAIA
Production management: JOSH HYMAN
Sage management: JOSH HYMAN, LAURYN WATI
Properties management: BECS EHLERS
Technical operation: STUART PHILLIPS
set construction: 2 CONSTRUCT
Production assistance: SEAN LYNCH