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| Noeline Brown and Darren Gilshenan as 'Mother & Son' |
Written by Geoffrey
Atherden
Directed by Roger
Hodgman
Canberra Theatre
February 4 to 7, 2015
Photos by Lachlan Moore
Review by Len Power 4
February 2015
I’ve always avoided seeing stage plays based on beloved TV
shows. Why watch a rehash of an old TV show
on stage with actors trying and failing to be like the originals? ‘Mother & Son’, based on the TV series of
the same name, is surprisingly enjoyable.
In this completely new play, writer Geoffrey Atherden has a
lot of new things to say about the characters and the situation of Arthur Beare
who’s stuck with looking after his ageing mother, Maggie. We’re now in the electronic age and Maggie is
floundering with mobile phones, DVD remotes, phone charities, Skype and
emergency phone monitoring companies.
Arthur has met someone he wants to marry but the cards remain stacked
against him.
The show has a high-powered cast who play it superbly. It took me about twenty minutes to get used
to different actors playing the roles but when it was clear they were not
trying to copy the originals, the play took off for me. Noeline Brown is brilliantly funny as the mother,
Maggie, and Darren Gilshenan gives a superb performance as the son,
Arthur. I was particularly impressed
with Nicki Wendt as Liz, the snobbish daughter-in-law, and Rob Carlton was
wonderfully oily as the conniving favourite son, Robert. Rachael Beck beautifully played Arthur’s new
girlfriend. There was nice work, too,
from Robyn Arthur and Sharon Davis in two key minor roles. Liz’s horrid children, played by Dylan and
Jade Redman, appear only on video, but their accurate performances got some of the
biggest laughs of the night.
The vast open plan set by Shaun Gurton is cleverly dressed
with fittings and furnishings that, though well-kept, are crying out for an
update. It’s exactly what you’d expect
in the home of an elderly lady who doesn’t like change. The square sides of the set will create some
sightline issues, though, if you’re sitting away from the centre of the theatre. Lighting by Nigel Levings complements the set
design very well. Costumes by Esther
Marie Hayes have been very well chosen for everyone in the show. You’ll love Maggie’s track suit.
Director, Roger Hodgman, has done a fine job. He has it all moving along swiftly and, by
giving us small scene changes to a dentist’s office and a respite care facility
as well as video showing Skype sessions between Liz’s children and Maggie, he gives
us a break from the main set which keeps it visually interesting throughout.
Writer, Geoffey Atherden, has given us a delightfully funny
and quite moving show which doesn’t shy away from the serious issues that arise
from caring for an aged relative and dealing with selfish relatives. He has a lot to say about the current
electronic world as well as new insights into his wonderful characters. I was particularly impressed by the ending of
the show but I’m not going to spoil it for you.
I was always a fan of the TV show and expected to be resistant to it as a
stage play. I really enjoyed it and you’ll
have a good time with it even if you never saw it on TV. I recommend it.