After Dinner took us back to the 1980s with decor, fashion, black stockings and not a mobile phone in sight. The scene was set in a dining/entertainment venue with apricot tablecloths and chairs with touches of gold. With echoes of the television series, Kath and Kim and a little of The Office, the cast threw themselves into a by-gone era of dancing and romancing.
The audience first meets Gordon played by Oliver Wilson. He is a world-weary and sad man in a baggy 1980s suit recently separated from his wife. As he waits for two office colleagues, two women appear at a nearby table. Dympie played by Chantal Harrison enters with a classic 1980s side ponytail and wearing a blue satin dress and stockings. Paula, played by Noa Besser, dressed in what appears to be a genuine padded 1980s ensemble in purple is Dympieâs friend. Immediately it appears that Dympie is one of those people where her life is âmy way or the highwayâ. Having no real social intelligence, she rearranges the table to suit her needs. Paula wants to be up close to the band but Dympie is having none of that and chooses a table at the back. Paula reluctantly gives in. They are absolute opposites.
Later, another colleague, Monica, played by Claire Gandy, joins as a grieving widow. At first, social etiquette tries to skirt around death with some funny moments and comments during an awkward conversation. Claire plays the role with enthusiasm and great comedic timing. We are there for her and the audience responded laughing at the intimate and embarrassing details of a mundane marriage. Her two colleagues listen in horror with Dympie shutting down the conversation only focusing on her hunger.
There are funny moments during ordering dinner as the throwback to 1980s menus and drinks is explained. All agree that they only order a carafe of white wine, either dry or not too sweet as they havenât a clue. Claire unravels at the table with Gordon overhearing the drama. He is joined by his colleague Stephen, played convincingly by Nicholas Berthold. Stephen is looking for women and is a clichĂ©d 1980s banker and âwomenâs manâ. The outpouring of menâs issues between Gordon and Stephen is funny and revealing and acted with suitable embarrassment regarding âmenâs talkâ.
As the evening develops, in one of the best scenes of the play, Claire Gandy portrays the most genuine, angry and frustrated woman who is all pathos and suppression, seeking answers about wasting her life. She reveals all in a hilarious authentic monologue. The men become involved and with great comedic timing we see the fumbling and bumbling of both sexes.
With 1980s music reminiscent of a pub band in the background, the third male colleague never appearing and the desperate need for any of them to pair off, the conversations are both funny and bittersweet. Not one person was scrolling, trolling or texting, it was all about the language and social comments about dating, dancing and finding love.
To book tickets to After Dinner, please visit https://lanecovetheatrecompany.com.au/.
Photographer: Jim Crew, Lane Cove Creative Photography
