In talented writer-director-composer Joanna Weinberg’s new play ‘Every Single Saturday’ we see what happens when four footballing parents get together spruiking for their kids playing their final game of the year.
Each of the parents has issues; Carlo (Geoff Sirmai) is a former competitive player, frustrated by his son’s lack of passion for the ‘beautiful game’. Neil (Matt Young) is a returned international orchestra conductor who has little interest in soccer but enjoys having some time with his son, Becks, the team’s most talented player. Tough personal trainer Sandy (Sara Grenfell) is contending with an unhappy marriage and the aggravation of seeing her daughter Maddie, the team’s goalie, become increasingly obese. Recently widowed Liz (Melanie de Ferranti), a keen amateur photographer, is too clingy with her son Jamie, the team’s captain.
As the play’s tagline said, ‘the real action is on the sideline’, and in this case the main action is hormonal! Carlo has feelings for Sandy, but Sandy’s not sure. Liz has feelings for Neil but Neil is too into his own world.
The result is a commercial, feel good and entertaining night at the theatre. The music was at the forefront of this show with the straightforward storyline used to hang the some 13 songs on. Sandy’s and Carlo’s ‘tango of marital disappointment’ was good fun. The title song ‘Every Single Saturday’ had a catchy, lilting quality. Liz’s ‘Give Me A Reason’ was a poignant ballad. My highlight, performed by the full cast, was the wryly observed ‘Trophy Night’, capturing the sometimes warm and fuzzy and, at other times, frantic nature of community awards nights.
The cast, all in good voice, were in top form. The ever reliable Sara Grenfell (her performance, years ago, in ‘Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls’, remains a favourite) gave a warm, touching performance as the aerobics guru. Melanie De Ferranti was a delight as Liz, pining for a new paramour. Prominent Sydney arts identity and publicist Geoff Sirmai, in a rare stage performance, shone as soccer tragic Carlo, and Matt Young impressed as the pugnacious Neil.
A Kissing Point production, ‘Every Single Saturday’, recommended for parents and kids alike, plays the Parade Space at NIDA, 215 Anzac Parade, Kensington until Saturday 2nd October, 2010.