In Chris Aronsten’s OFF THE RECORD, Jenny Gosper plays a television journalist who is the anchor for the current affairs program Face to Face.
Aronsten’s play starts with Gosper undertaking a rigorous interview cum cross examination of Tony Trevalan, the founder and CEO of the corporation Embrace International, a high profile aid agency operating in Bangladesh, who has been accused of sexually harassing female employees.
Trevalan is a particularly squirmy CEO. Will Gosper be able to put such intense pressure on Trevalan that he will have to stand down.
The New Theatre’s presentation of Aronstein’s play is another great example of the New Theatre’s commitment to new Australian work. Aronsten is a Sydney based playwright and OFF THE RECORD was shortlisted for the 2021 Silver Gull Play Award.
Director Jess Davis’ production, she previously directed Simon Thomson’s The Park at the New in 2022, is assured as is the staging, which she devised with set designer David Marshall-Martin. Marshall-Martin’s set cleverly delineates three different stage areas. The multiple picture frames hanging from the ceiling, at different vantage points around the stage, display various finger painting works by whistle blower Janine.
Michela Noonan gives a strong performance in the lead role. The play is very much about Jenny’s journey which sees her not only endeavour to bring Trevor down but also to overcome a major drinking problem which is having devastating implications.
Joe Clements is good as the gruff, intractable Tony Trevalon who is very set in his ways.
Suzann James plays the oddball, unpredictable whistleblower Janine who also provides some comic relief.
Belinda Hoare is Jenny’s AA sponsor, Nadia, who steers Jenny away from disaster.
Completing the cast were Gina Cohan as an annoying hospital patient and Chad Traupmann as Jenny’s affectatious husband.
Mehran Mortezaei’s deft lighting design and Scott Gabutto’s understated soundscape were important elements of the production.
A play about how some people can step up and lead authentic lives whilst other people’s fall well short, OFF THE RECORD is playing at the NEW THEATRE until the 5th August 2023.
Featured image Chad Traupmann and Michela Noonan.
Production photography by Bob Seary
https://aunewtheatre.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/108228
https://newtheatre.org.au/off-the-record-2/
THE NEW THEATRE IS OFFERING HALF PRICE TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW THIS FRIDAY, SATURDAY OR SUNDAY. TO TAKE UP THE OFFER JUST USE THE PROMO CODE 50% OFF WHEN YOU BOOK ONLINE.THE OFFER ENDS SUNDAY 30 JULY 20-23.