The text itself has a crisp narrative and essentially the whole play rests on Catherine McClements’ shoulders with every aspect of the soundscape, stage props and dialogue serving to accentuate her performance. The stage props and broader stage design are economical and realistic but the soundscape is not as effective as it is borders on being predictable and at times even forced.
David Roberts is convincing as Juliana’s caring husband Ian who strives to weather the storm of her volatile and extreme emotional outbursts without delivering a remarkable performance. Heidi Arena plays three different roles and shines as the distraught young woman that finds and ends up comforting a disorientated and distressed Juliana at the Cape Cod family beach house. David Whiteley’s time on stage portraying two minor characters may be limited but is of essence and performing what was required of him; that also summarises Catherine McClements’ rendition of Juliana. She balances the poised, sharp, medical professional with the unstable, demented patient who is in denial of her condition but the transitions from each character could have been more smooth. She carries the play in her shoulders but does not lift the audience to a transcendent theatrical experience where we are drawn to and immersed in Juliana’s turbulent emotional state.
If you are a fan of the work of Nadia Tass and want to see a play with confronting themes and solid performances, you will not be disappointed.
BY NASH PETROPOULOS
