Brisbane review - Grand Horizons: Provoking and Engaging Comedy

 By Lilian Harrington

Production: Grand Horizons

Writer:         Bess Wohl

Company:    New Farm Nash Theatre

Director:      Phil Carney

Location:     The Brunswick Room, Uniting Church,

                      62 Merthyr Rd.  New Farm

Season:        9-31 May 7 30pm (Fridays and Saturdays)

Bookings:    wwwtrybooking.com/1318893

Under the leadership of Phil Carney and John Stibbard, Nash New Farm Theatre has sourced a new contemporary comedy and they’ve spent some months preparing to get it staged for a Brisbane audience.

Bess Wohl is an American actor and writer, who has written this Tony Award nominated contemporary comedy, Grand Horizons which is set in a retirement village. It is witty and thought provoking and it targets some of the hidden conflicts, heartbreaks and contradictions that arise in everyday life.

Wohl deals with some issues facing many couples in a long term married relationship. Her focus is on Nancy French, (played by the talented Linda Morgan) and Bill French (played by the experienced Eddie Bruce). Nancy asks Bill for a divorce and in contrast to the usual response he doesn’t raise any objections, he simply agrees to it.

Their parents decision raises issues for the two sons, Ben French (Erik De Wit) and Brian French (Tyson Hargreaves), as well as their pregnant daughter-in-law Jess (Catherine Sturk); all try very hard to make their parents review their decision and try and avoid a split which would break up their family and so pressure is put on Nancy.

All members of the family find themselves doing some serious soul searching and are forced to make some uncomfortable disclosures about their own behaviours, attitudes, beliefs and values. Their confessions are portrayed on stage in a humorous and explosive way, and it gradually becomes clear that both parents have cheated on each other over the years, despite their denials. While life on the surface at the retirement village appears like a haven, in reality it is deceptive and gradually a lot of complex issues are revealed.

The writer explores various important themes such as: the search for a true self-identity, a perception on marriage from the mother’s point of view, family relationships and the connections.

The dialogue is sharp and very deliberate in places because it serves to emphasise issues. There is a focus on the roles and vows that couples have chosen to take and how difficult it is to escape these decisions after some years. Wohl has explored happiness, self-worth and the merits of taking a second chance. 

The cast are experienced and worked together as a tight unit. There were some exceptional performances from: (Brian) Tyson Hargreaves, the secretive, gay, younger brother and drama teacher, and (Ben) Erik De Wit, the contrasting older, married brother. There was the charisma and touch of class, shown by the uncommitted, dilettante, Carla Duncan (Gillian Simpson), whose costume statement said it all, and the slick actions of Tommy Pitt (Matthew Ginman), Brian’s friend.  

Director Phil Carney and his team of creatives opened Grand Horizons with a technically smooth presentation, which complemented the action and kept the Australian vocal sound. The set design was effective, and gave an impression of a retirement unit. Further thought could have been given to the placement of props and furniture items used on and around the set table in some scenes, so that the up-stage action was not obscured. The pattern of short scenes and fast fades changed as the play progressed; a technique used to create a narrative  impact.

Grand Horizons is a modern, contemporary comedy which contains important messages in regard to marriage and family relationships; this timely production at New Farm Nash Theatre runs through May and will keep an audience fully engaged.