Written by Joanna
Murray-Smith
Directed by Jordan
Best
Pigeonhole Theatre
The Courtyard,
Canberra Theatre Centre to 14 July
Reviewed by Len Power
4 July 2018
In ‘Switzerland’, Edward Ridgeway travels from a New York
publishing house to Switzerland to convince author, Patricia Highsmith, to sign
a contract to write a new novel. She’s
feisty, difficult and unwelcoming. He’s
charming, unfazed by her aggression and starts to gain her grudging
respect. That’s just the start of this
tricky, playful and ultimately very enjoyable play.
 |
| Karen Vickery |
As the novelist, Patricia Highsmith, Karen Vickery gives a powerful,
multi-layered performance. Is Highsmith
really the tough character she displays from the beginning or is she just posing
for effect because of her bitterness at the world in general? She’s intriguing, witty, nasty, confronting, fascinating
and with just a hint of vulnerability. By the
time she states, ‘I’m not ignorant, I’m just mean’, we’re hooked and hoping for
more clues to her true character. The
skill that Karen Vickery brings to her performance of this fascinating woman is
awesome.
 |
| Lachlan Ruffy |
Playing Edward Ridgeway, Lachlan Ruffy is in full command of
this more straight-forward character. Likeable
from the start, we’re impressed by his coolness and ability to field the most
appalling insults from Highsmith. He’s
the type of guy who would easily gain your trust but when Highsmith suddenly breaks
through his charm with a question about his sexual preferences, his reaction
pulls the rug out from under us. Ruffy
shows his impressive strength as an actor by making this perilously dangerous
moment, and what comes after it, quite believable.
 |
| Karen Vickery and Lachlan Ruffy |
Joanna Murray-Smith has written a tantalising and deceptive play hinting at themes and ideas from Patricia Highsmith’s novels. When you find out where it’s all going, you’ll
be amused and impressed by the playfulness and stunned by her cleverness.
Director, Jordan Best, has produced a believable and well-paced
production, bringing out the best in her two highly capable actors. There is a nicely detailed set by Michael Sparks,
subtle lighting by Cynthia Jolley Rogers and suitably brooding music by Matthew
Webster.
I’ve heard that the season is virtually sold out. I’m sure that Patricia Highsmith would be
delighted to hear you had to resort to murder to get a ticket to this terrific play.
Photos by David James McCarthy
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast in his ‘On Stage’ performing arts radio program on Mondays
and Wednesdays from 3.30pm on Artsound FM 92.7.