Personification, the attribution of human characteristics to non humans, is a literary device regularly and often very effectively employed by writers.
It is a device that is very effectively used by the late American playwright A.R.Gurney, a Professor of Literature no less, most famous for his often performed romantic two hander Love Letters, in his 1995 play SYLVIA.
Sylvia is a cute stray dog, who is played by a cute, frisky woman who carries with her human attributes and Insecurities as well as plenty of canine longings!
The scenario see Sylvia attract the interest of Greg, a middle-aged, upper-middle class guy walking along New York’s Central Park. There is a kind of instant rapport between them, and feeling sorry for her, Greg takes her home. Perhaps he can give her a new home?!
Things however go according to plan. Whilst there is an instant rapport between Greg and Sylvia, the antithesis reaction takes place between Greg’s wife Kate and Sylvia. Kate can’t stand her.
As the days roil on, Sylvia feel more and more at home with Greg becoming more enamoured with her. Kate’s frustration with the situation grows, and Greg and Kate’s over twenty year old marriage is on the rocks. As the saying goes, two’s company’s, three’s a crowd…
Director Moja Brand’s production is faithful to this play’s fun, whimsical, satirical nature whilst celebrating the indelible way that our animal friends can enrich our lives. It’s a difficult balance still the play manages it.
Brand’s design team – set, lighting and sound designer Wayne Chee, and costume designer Joanna Yetsenga – cover the show’s technical aspects with flair.
There’s a fun, good energy on stage. Margareta Moir, in easily the show’s best role, gives a winning, rightly hammy performance as the ever playful Sylvia.
Justin Corcoran gives a well focused performance as Greg, a straight laced guy who falls under the spell of Sylvia. Well, who wouldn’t!
Brooke Davidson gives a convincing, sympathetic performance as the more and more stressed and wound up Kate.
Richard Littlehales does well in three mini roles, as Greg’s fellow park walker Tom, Kate’s snooty friend Phyllis and the very experienced psychiatrist Leslie who works out the marital situation very quicky, and tells Kate to get a gun and shoot Sylvia between the eyes!
This is a fun play about man’s best friend, and one that the audience easily related to and laughed along with.
Hunters Hill Theatre’s revival of A.R.Gurney’s SYLVIA is playing the upstairs theatre at Club Ryde until the 30th March 2025.
