Kate Raison, in a part originally written for and performed by Maureen Stapleton on Broadway in 1970, cajoles, rages, flirts and taunts as Evy Meara, in one of the great American playwright Neil Simon’s darker plays, THE GINGERBREAD LADY.
Evy is walking a tightrope. We, the audience, hold our collective breath. The play opens with Evy arriving home after 10 weeks in a rehab clinic. Her career as a cabaret singer was traveling well until she gave in to the lure of the bottle. It’s touch and go whether she will get her life back together again. One thing for sure, she will only be able to get there with a lot of help from her friends.
Danielle Carter is a delight as her best friend Toby who brings her home from the clinic. She is desperate to help Evy however she has her own midlife crisis to contend with. A beautiful woman, she despairs as her looks begin to fade.
Tamblyn Lord hits the mark as Evy’s gay friend Jimmy. Jimmy loves Evy to death and is always there for her, maybe a bit too much, and a bit too soft with her at times. Jimmy is also fighting his own battles, trying to achieve a break in his acting career.
Less of a friend to Evy is Lou, an irresponsible man who Evy has had a destructive relationship with. It isn’t long after Evy’s return home that he is knocking at her door again, wanting another ’round’. Adriano Cappelletta gives a strong performance as the destructive Lou, the villain of the piece. Cappelletta also doubles up as an irritating pizza delivery man, Manuel.
Evy ends up finding a salvation of sorts from the least likely source, her sweet natured 17 year old daughter, Polly, sensitively played by Kellie Clarke. The bottom line is that Evy knows that she has been a selfish woman and has been responsible for neglecting her daughter.
This mother daughter relationship is what the play turns on. It’s a memorable tussle. Polly keeps on trying to reach out to her whilst Evy pushes her away. Evy’s doing the Great Garbo- I want to be alone- routine whilst Polly strives to see her mum well.
There are a steady stream of classic Simon one liners in THE GINGERBREAD LADY however this Simon play is well and truly directed at the heart rather than the funny bone.
An engrossing, poignant night at the theatre, Sandra Bates’s production of THE GINGERBREAD LADY (the Company’s third production of this play in its 53 year history) opened at the Ensemble theatre, 78 McDougall Street, Kirribilli, on Wednesday 21 March and runs until Sunday 28 April, 2012.
The season has been briefly extended playing an additional three performances at the plush Smith Auditorium, Shore School, North Sydney on Friday May 4 at 8pm and Saturday May 5 at 2pm and 8pm.
© David Kary
29th March, 2012
An edited version of this review has been published in LatteLife (your exclusive look at the ultimate lifestyle) April Issue, Issue 17, April 2012. Editor Jane King.
Tags: Sydney Theatre Reviews- THE GINGERBREAD LADY, Neil Simon, Ensemble Theatre Kirribilli, Sandra Bates, Kate Raison, Danielle Carter, Tamblyn Lord, Kellie Clarke, Adriano Cappelletta, Steve Lunam, Sydney Arts Guide, David Kary, LatteLife, Jane King.