Katie and Imogen are childhood friends (BFF’s 4 EVA), who get together for a girls’ night out, a well-intentioned reunion. We soon find out that they have little left in common – Imogen brings out a raspberry vodka cocktail after Katie has insisted on a beer. Imogen loves fashion label clothes and SEX IN THE CITY culture, whilst Katie is an academic pragmatist in an op-shop outfit worth $8.00.
The clichés end here. In their struggle to connect, the small talk gets bigger and feistier until both insults and anger begin to break the superficial ice. We end up on a rollercoaster of confrontation and fantasy – somewhat confusing, very funny and intriguing. They begin to find their lost thread of friendship as they launch into their sexual secrets and the real truth about loneliness and unsatisfactory relationships.
I KNOW THERE’S A LOT OF NOISE OUTSIDE was devised by I’M TRYING TO KISS YOU, a female driven performance collective comprised of Zoey Dawson, Anna McCarthy and Allison Wiltshire. This show was very well received at the 2011 Melbourne Fringe. In describing their company, they write:-
“We strive to make work that implicates, that stimulates and illuminates. We exist to create new experiences in theatre, we want sensory transcendence. We want theatrical immediacy. We demand intimacy.”
Zoey Dawson as Imogen, and Anna McCarthy as Katie, are extraordinary onstage. Their mercurial transitions take us by surprise and the actors work beautifully off the audience.
Allison Wiltshire’s direction intricately navigates around the cluttered chairs onstage, designed by Eugyeene Teh.
This production is thoughtful and provocative in an age where we are denying our true feelings and are forced into a parody of ourselves.
At a very palatable one hour’s duration, the play runs at NIDA’s Parade Studio until March 23rd, 2013.
© Bronwyn Fullerton
9th March, 2013
Tags: Sydney Stage Reviews- I KNOW THERE’S A LOT OF NOISE OUTSIDE, I’M TRYING TO KISS YOU, Zoey Dawson, Anna McCarthy, Allison Wiltshire, Eugyeene The, NIDA Parade Studio, Sydney Arts Guide, Bronwyn Fullerton
