Lynn Belvedere

THE ODD COUPLE @ King Street Theatre NEWTOWN

THE ODD COUPLE 336

American playwright Neil Simon’s THE ODD COUPLE premiered on Broadway on the 10th March 1965 and ran for some 966 performances.

Neil Simon based the character of Felix on his older brother, Danny Simon, showing that a real person can sometimes be stranger than fiction.

The scenario sees the irresponsible lifestyle of “divorced, slovenly but casual”, sports-writer Oscar Madison take in “newly separated” television news-writer Felix Ungar.  Felix is continually depressed and intrusively obsessed with his ex. The real problem that causes the most tension is Felix’s over-the-top obsessive compulsive disorder, as he is so driven to constantly keep Oscar’s eight room apartment so clean, with constant house-keeping that makes it look like no-one lives there.           

Opposites sharing the same living space, creates situation comedy gold, with some of the best ever one-liners, especially when mad at each other. These two insufferable men repeat the many mistakes they made during their marriages, and there are those certain moments, when you will be reduced to tears of laughter.

The cast of eight actors delivers comedy brilliance, in this triumph of scripting, and every role has been well cast by director Mark Power.

In the lead roles, Craig Walker plays Oscar Madison and Caib James plays Felix Unger.

Stand outs in the supporting cast are Kendall Goddard and Jessica Whitford, as Gwendolyn and Cecily Pigeon – the squeaky voiced coo coo Pigeon sisters. It is worth noting that Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy The Importance Of Being Earnest has two female characters called Cecily and Gwendolyn.

In the real world Oscar would have murdered persnickety Felix, but this play presents comedy at its best, with perfect comedy timing from all. And the very well-worn “F.U.” joke, still gets plenty of audience laughter.

This was a good night at the theatre, entertaining, a good cast and a very appreciative audience.

A co Providential production and  Emu production presentation, THE ODD COUPLE is playing the King Street Theatre, first floor, 644 King Street corner Bray street, Newtown until the 1st August. Performance times are Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7.30pm.

http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=129384

http://www.kingstreettheatre.com.au/the-odd-couple/

http://www.providential.net.au/

Published by Lynn Belvedere

Once we were old enough, my parents took the whole family to the Sydney CBD cinemas every week. Thus began a lifetime interest, in going to the cinema every week, and became a passionate cinephile by watching all those very heavily edited ''Australian Film Censorship Board'' true cinéaste versions of brand new release ''Cinematograph Films''. Greater Union always gave my father (who worked in Cinema Distribution Exhibition) guest double movie passes, to every first-night ''red carpet Opening Night'' at The State Theatre Cinema at 49 Market Street. Up until his death, my dad always received ''two house seats'' for every Opening Night performance events at the Theatre Royal SYDNEY and at Her Majesty's Theatre SYDNEY. As a child, when mum choose not to go, I often went with him, to those live performance events. As a young child, I remember being taken for each new show, at both The New Theatre at 60 Sussex Street, and the Phillip Street Theatre when located at 150 Elizabeth Street, and for classical music concerts at Sydney Town Hall. = = = ★★★★★ = = = Being happy is a choice, and I have always viewed my life, as material ready be made into a series of amazing tentpole movies. My New Years Resolution is kept every year: ''Get to see/review five new live theatre shows each week, and get to see/review six new cinema movies each week'', plus is one of the Australian Cinema Pioneers, and apparently have seen far too much already, but always wanting to experience more and more each year. I am also able to do almost everything that I enjoy doing. Yes, I do have a great daytime job in I.T. as ''Software Design Project Manager'', PLUS each evening until quite late - - - Australian Cinematograph Films historical censorship consultant - product-placement consultant - mystery-shopper consultant - playwright, writer, author, director, producer, photographer, cinematographer, color-grader, subtitles proofreader - arts/ drama/ music/ film critic and judge, journalist, member FIPRESCI & FCCA & AFCA, member AACTA accredited film reviewer-critic-writer, accredited IMDB.COM critic-reviewer-author, projectionist, plus an innovative iconoclast - - - ★★★★★ LYNN BELVEDERE ★★★★★ - - - [usr 5] - - -