Coming to the close of its season at the Old Fitzroy theatre is Sydney writer and director Paul Gilchrist’s play, ‘A Thing of Beauty’.

Talented local actress Jo Richards effortlessly switches between the play’s two characters, Naomi and Ruth, best friends from school, who travel around Europe and Asia together.

As travel companions, the girls don’t jell, and conflicts arise. Naomi’s style is very laid-back, bohemian and spontaneous, whilst with Ruth everything needs to be ordered and pristine. She loves guidebooks, snow domes, and has a thing for mannequins. She loves doing all the tourist things, all by the book and in tight time schedules.

This was a light, cheerful night at the theatre, with most of its charm coming from the way character is revealed. There was no set to speak of, with the only props for Richards being a naked female mannequin and a travel suitcase.

Richards gave an assured, open and warm performance. My favourite reveal was Ruth talking about how she put too much into a beggars bowl, and then when she took some back, she commented the beggar wouldn’t realise any-way, because the beggar was blind!

Paul Gilchrist’s ‘A Thing Of Beauty’, a subtlenuance production in association with Tamarama Rock Surfers, started late night sessions at the Old Fitzroy theatre, 126 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo, on August 22 and finishes on Monday, September 6, 2010.