Australian Playwright Joanna Murray-Smith’s choice of “Three Little Words” for a title about two couples’ friendship is an interesting one. Initially I assumed that those three little words alluded to “I Love You”. However by the end of the play I realised that those three little words could be interpreted as to whatever the audience thinks – and this was a very clever prelude to a witty script performed by four engaging actors from the Elanora Players.
Tess (Tracey Keene) and Curtis (Paul Sheldon) have invited their long-time besties for dinner on their 20-year anniversary. After reminiscing good naturedly about the many good times and the way they met, Tess and Curtis announce a bombshell in the form of three little words, “We’re Splitting Up”. Bonnie (Karen Oughtred) and her partner Annie (Chantal Harrison) are disbelieving and shocked. The shaking up of what they thought was an unbreakable bond between the four friends sets off a split between all of them, and we are witness to the devastation that unravels.
Tess wants to explore her own identity, apart from being a daughter, wife and mother and yearns for something other than domesticity. She is highly critical of Curtis’ occupation as a teacher (“overqualified and underpaid”) and is constantly irritated by her husband’s habits. Tess is a self-centred woman who desperately wants out of the marriage to see what she could evolve into. She believes that Curtis will be there for her afterward. Tracey portrayed Tess’ selfish character that was quite unlikeable very successfully to the audience.
Initially I found myself feeling sorry for downtrodden Curtis, with his gentle manner and complacency. However, his immediate behaviour following the separation sparks some controversy, as Paul effectively expands his character’s complexity by swiftly entering the dating scene to be with a significantly younger woman. His actions suggest that an amicable separation might be unlikely, and his pointed, hurtful remarks towards Tess diminish my sympathy for him.
The split is a catalyst for Annie, a masseuse and Bonnie, a high-end art dealer, to suddenly explore their own relationship. Bonnie’s warm and younger partner Annie, who feels Bonnie’s condescending words deeply, was played with a sweet, quiet strength by Chantal.
Karen’s character Bonnie had a mix of forthrightness and vulnerability. Kudos to Karen who held the stage with convincing conviction – Bonnie was a standout character to me.
There’s a recurring reference to and even a custody battle for Tess and Curtis’ tantalus, a wooden lockable stand, which holds whiskey and is inaccessible without a key, to keep it safe from children or from servants in the old days. This heirloom is a gentle representative of how Tess feels, alluding to the Greek myth of Tantalus, who was eternally tempted by food and water just out of reach.
Director Kerrie King’s set was simple and effective, showing two living rooms side by side, their own spaces represented and separated by the use of different coloured walls and furniture. Lighting designer Wayne Chee and Lighting Operator Thomas Van der Plaat highlighted the rooms and characters well, bringing attention to where it was needed. Sound Design and Operator Walter Opdam’s choice of music brought the right atmosphere to the play, especially with his choices of songs such as George Michael’s “Freedom” as Tess was dancing and singing on the couch, and a song I’d never heard about IKEA as Tess attempted (and failed) to put together something from IKEA, after boasting to her friends that she never wanted to have anything personal again!
“Three Little Words” is a portrait of the aftermath of a breakup, of how the dissolving of one couple’s marriage affects their friends unexpectantly. How the dynamics of situations change in ways that are unpredictable because we are human. It is certainly a thought-provoking play, but not a play that is completely sad. In parts yes, but this clever script was laden with so many light moments sprinkled in, delivered by the characters’ wry and quick dialogues which made me and the audience laugh often, and quite a lot!
I loved the Elanora Players’ production of Three Little Words! Perhaps those Three Little Words from the title may have been “I See You” or Annie’s wisdom of “It’s About Kindness”. Or maybe it is meant to mean something else altogether; the audience can make up their own minds and there is creative beauty leaving it like that.
“Three Little Words” run time: approximately 90 minutes, with a 20 minute interval
Jan 9 – Jan 17 2026 at North Narrabeen Community Centre, 2-10 Woorarra Avenue, North Narrabeen
www.elanoraplayers.com.au
To book tickets to Three Little Words, please visit https://elanoraplayers.com.au/.
