By Peter Kemp
Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company
Barefoot in the Park
The company’s second production for 2023 was Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park.
A play about a young married couple who have just moved into a New York apartment. Paul Bratter, a conservative lawyer, and his wife Corie, an energetic soul, quite the opposite of her husband, have not quite seen the flat as they pictured it. On the fifth floor and the only way up is stairs, a leaking roof, a very small bedroom, and bathroom. Add a crazy neighbour, Paul’s mother-in-law and Neil Simon gives another comedy.
Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre lends itself to this production by having a door on the theatre floor and a small flight of stairs up to the stage. Pip Le Blond, the director, made full use of this, having the cast coming through the door, up the stairs to the stage, behind the set and then to the door of the set after allowing time to climb the past floor. As a result, the actors arrived puffing and wheezing and looking worn out from their climb. Pip is also to be congratulated for a wonderful evening of theatre.
Claire Abagia was Corie Bratter, a very energetic performance covering all aspects of acting from a joyous welcome to Paul, enthusiasm, and then poignancy, and arguments, sulkiness, and forgiveness. Abagia excelled in this complex role and was well received by the audience.
Her husband, Paul, caught the essence of the conservative lawyer who could not quite believe that he married such a woman. Later that evening I was told that Samuel Barson, playing Paul, was not at all well and had a slight fever.
But with local theatre one cannot get understudies, so Samuel carried on and the audience did not realise a thing. Actually, he did a fantastic performance, working well with Claire Abagia.
Corie’s mother, Ethel Banks, was played by Fiona Carter. Her scenes were a delight and her coming up the stairs was a sheer picture. A great performance. The shall we say, somewhat weird neighbour, Victor Velasco was given a great interpretation by Tony Clayton. Clayton was excellent in such a character. Added to the high standard of the evening was the telephone man played by Chris O’ Neil. Coming in twice to fit the phone. The second time he walked into an argument between Paul and Corie and to see his face was a picture. A good performance. Another small part was that of the delivery man, played by Ian Carter who also added to the high standard of the evening.
An excellent production and your correspondent recommends go and see it. Season finishes on 6 May. Bookings: 9735 1777 or lilydaleatc.com
