Kicking off the 2026 season for New Theatre Newtown is Perfect Arrangement, directed by Patrick Kennedy, a play that blends fifties flair with sitcom hijinks to create two hours of amazingly acted hilarity.
The story follows Bob Martindale and Norma Baxter, two employees of the US State Department. The pair are tasked with identifying so-called ‘sexual deviants’ among their colleagues during the Lavender Scare. Secretly queer themselves, Bob and Norma have entered a sham marriage with each other’s partners as a way to protect their jobs and their lives.
Though originally written in 2009 and set in the 1950s, Topher Payne’s writing is timeless. This is no doubt due to the quick, witty and often meta-theatrical writing.
The stage design is immaculate. The reds and blues feel modern in a retro way. Even little details such as the red seeping from the photo frames perfectly capture the sense that something’s amiss. Kennedy and associate set designer Tom Bannerman have a fine eye for detail.
Above the stage hangs the applause light, a silly and absolutely welcome addition. It’s like a cherry on top, perfecting the sitcom mise en scène.
As Bob Martindale, Luke Visentin does a great job in capturing that comfortability in remaining closeted. His incessant misogyny and internalised homophobia become near insidious.
Jordan Thompson and Dominique Purdue, as Millie and Norma respectively, are particularly refreshing to watch. It’s rare and powerful to see a story that speaks directly to how misogyny uniquely affected, and continues to affect, lesbians. Their performances bring real depth to each character’s specific struggles.
Brooke Ryan as Kitty Sunderson is an absolute delight. She nails the accent and perfectly conveys that ditsy, inattentive nature. Ryan’s strong acting is supported by the wonderful costume designs. The pink, overly feminine dresses are always gorgeous and capture the housewife archetype completely.
Another standout is Lucinda Jurd as femme fatale, Barbara Grant. Jurd’s raspy voice is captivating, and her appearance commands attention. The role is also a breath of fresh air for bisexual representation. Often, bisexual characters are villanised, but thankfully, this trope is subverted in the play’s ending.
This is not to discredit the rest of the cast. In fact, for the entire two hours, each actor is amazing at sustaining their accents and keeping their mannerisms distinctly fifties. This must be incredibly challenging.
Despite the serious subject matter, the play keeps things light through its humour. Watching the men literally living in the closet is hilarious, and it is a great example of subtle storytelling. This delightfully foreshadows their near antagonistic nature later in the play.
Perfect Arrangement doesn’t forget to pull at the heartstrings. As the play goes on, audiences are literally brought closer to the characters through the moving stage. This ensures that when the play reaches its climax, everyone is on the edge of their seats.
Patrick Kennedy has taken a great script and pushed it further through his excellent direction and design. Perfect Arrangement is truly a show you won’t want to miss, especially this Mardi Gras season.
Perfect Arrangement runs to 7 March as part of 2026 Sydney Mardi Gras Festival. New Theatre, 542 King Street Newtown NSW 2081.
Tickets: https://aunewtheatre.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/156904
Website: https://newtheatre.org.au/perfect-arrangement/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/newtheatresydney/
Photo credits: Bob Seary
