Lally Katz’s newest work is a laugh-out-loud hilarious, bittersweet story about family, personal ambitions and dreams, and the perception of time.
What begins as a getaway to Paradise, an all-inclusive resort that sits on the International Date Line, turns into a dip into existential (and more concrete) crises – all played out by four truly excellent cast members, with a few Flight Of The Conchords-esque songs (courtesy of composer Jethro Woodward) and choreographed dance to boot (Bec Reid).
Director Oliver Butler’s perfect balance between hammy comedy and more melancholic themes complements Katz’s delightfully weird, relatably honest script – his naturalism and her surrealism evenly weighted, and the symbolism neatly tied up but never contrived, giving an air of sensitivity to the whole play. Bert LaBonte (resort manager Carl) and Brigid Gallacher’s (daughter Kristy/resort worker Maria) comedic timing is impeccable, and their singing impresses (particularly Carl’s final song; what a falsetto!). Marg Downey delivers a gentle but affecting performance as mother Sandy, who steps across the Date Line into Yesterday to find not all is as it seems. And Fayssal Bazzi’s innocent, passionate resort worker Juan Fernando will have the entire room shrieking with laughter; it’s so charming that it’s a shock when Bazzi switches character.
With sharp, modern yet understated lighting by Paul Jackson, alongside Dale Ferguson’s poolside set design, Timeshare really transports you to another world – a place where time is hard to track. The hour-and-a-half in the theatre goes by almost too quickly.
