Theatre Review: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf

 The Play: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf by Edward Albee

The Company: The Red Stitch Actor's Theatre

The Theatre: The Comedy Theatre, Exhibition Street. 

Until 21 July

Stars: 4.5

I was a bit reticent about going to see this huge play, on a school night. I remember seeing the Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor film version of this when I was at university and not being overly enamoured with the play, but at the time I wasn't up for empathising with the play's dysfunctional relationship. Then I have some memories of doing scenes from this in drama class back in the day when I did drama classes (yes, another string to my bow). Strangely, I found myself whispering the lines of the first ten minutes of the play.

Anyway, the ticket has been bought, arrangements were made, the cat got fed - I'd give it a go. It's three hours - it won't kill me, I told myself. 

Holy Fuck! This is a FABULOUS production. 

Seriously, I can't pick holes in this - it's too good. Pitch perfect. Tragically, deeply darkly funny. Spot on timing. Excellent performances. Just wow. 

For those who've not discovered this play in the past, it tells the story of George (David Whiteley) and Martha (Kat Stewart), a middle-aged couple with a few "issues" who invite a younger couple, Nick (Harvey Zielinski) and Honey (Emily Goddard) over for drinks after a party at Martha's father's place to witness the fun and games.

And all hell ensues. 

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf is a wordy play. There are a lot of word play, inside jokes and round the houses conversations which elicit more information about the main characters as the play goes on. The first act is uncomfortably funny as the four characters drink themselves into oblivion and open up a number of wounds. The second act, also funny, sets off a series of events that lead to the final act, which is tragic almost to the point of Shakespeare. 

It is magic what they've done here. Kat Steward and David Whiteley are excellent as the bickering Martha and George. Stewart's feline grace adds a menacing air, while Whiteley's near stoic reactions to Martha's goading is her perfect foil. Their relationship is volatile and toxic, relying on a lot of game play to keep them together. Nick and Honey are unwitting guests.  Emily Goddard's Honey provides some of the lighter and funnier moments. 

One of the best things about this production is the accents. The cast are spot on with their New England drawls - not a flat Australian vowel in sight. I find badly performed accents incredibly distracting. All four actors were flawless in their delivery. 

Sarah Goodes, who has been directing for the Melbourne Theatre Company, keeps the pace on this tight. There is no room for error, and her cast have the material well under control. This is a three-hour play (with two intervals) It didn't feel like it. The play went incredibly quickly. 

This is the first time the Red Stitch Theatre have transferred a play onto a main Melbourne stage, normally playing out of a theatre in St Kilda. The proscenium arch format frames this angst-ridden party perfectly. Set in the sixties, complete with my grandparent's doorbell and settee, everything is set up for a good night of theatre. 

I came out of the theatre into the cold Melbourne night knowing that this is a little bit of theatrical magic

This comes highly recommended. Tickets are selling fast. 

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