The new play at the Ensemble Theatre is the Australian premiere of John Misto’s LIP SERVICE.
Misto’s latest play, which has already received an acclaimed production in London, delves into the last ten years of the life of one of the world’s first female business tycoons, cosmetic queen Helena Rubinstein (1872-1965).
During this time, the Polish born Jewess, (who spent some six years,between 1902 and 1908, in Melbourne, Australia where she formed and grew her business, after arriving with next to nothing), was still very much involved in running her business empire from her New York apartment. We see her spending most of her time in slinging matches with her two major business competitors, Elizabeth Arden and Joseph and Charles Revson. Her main distraction is the friendship that she formed with her charming personal assistant, Patrick, who she nicknamed Irish.
Helena Rubinstein’s story made for a compelling bio drama. No wonder Miriam Margoyles grabbed the role in London!
LIP SERVICE proved to be a good night’s entertainment which featured all those main ingredients that one looks for in a show.
Interesting characters and relationships. Misto’s play only has three characters but my God they sure do carry the stage. Rubinstein and Arden were two tough, ruthless women and they made for great combatants.
It does help when one has two very fine actresses, Amanda Muggleton and Linden Wilkinson, stepping into the roles. They were just superb
Tim Draxl never missed a beat in his performance as Rubinstein’s aide Patrick, better known as Irish. Their relationship is a feisty, stormy one from the beginning when Patrick pleads with Rubinstein for a job and she procures him for pretty much nothing. Rubinstein likes to think that she can bully Irish but he is anything but a pushover.
LIP SERVICE also has a few ‘off stage’ character, business competitor, Charles Revlon, and Helena’s son Horace who we get to know very well by the end of the play.
There is plenty of humour and wit to be savoured through the show. The dialogue is as swift as an arrow, and as sharp as tack- with many great one liners.
The show is well directed by Nicole Buffoni. Anna Gardiner’s set of the living room of Helena’s New York apartment is deftly laid out. There is a small black and white television that runs classic old cosmetic advertisements through the show. Small LED screens above the stage advise when the action shifts from the apartment. With Nick Curnow’s adept dialect coaching, the cast maintain their accents well.
The lasting image/portrait of Helena Rubinstein that one takes away is of a defensive, insecure, quick witted, razor sharp, ruthless character who only found her soft spot late in life with her friendship with her charming Irishman.
Do yourself a great service and go and see this play. John Misto’s LIP SERVICE is playing the Ensemble Theatre until 30th September.
http://www.ensemble.com.au