★★★★☆
Have you ever acted in a bad play before? Stage Kiss, on now at New Theatre, brings all that awkwardness to a hilariously cringeworthy (and relatable) light.
Written by American playwright Sarah Ruhl, Stage Kiss premiered in 2011 in Chicago. Though many years have passed since its debut, the humour remains timeless. The story follows a middle-aged woman, known simply as ‘She,’ as she and an ex-lover (known as ‘He’) are cast as current lovers in a play.
Directed by Alice Livingstone, Stage Kiss draws its humour primarily from the metatheatricality of it all. You see this immediately as you enter the theatre. At first, there is no stage design. It genuinely looks no different to the early days of any theatre project, a few chairs in an empty room.
The show recounts the awkward warm-ups people do before auditions, the unintended comedy of staging a kiss, and so much more. It’s a show truly for people in the industry.
Particularly well written are the quick one-liners. They’re given enough space to be shocking each time and are incredibly witty. The line delivery is consistent from the entire cast.
What sells the comedy is the wonderful casting. It’s hard to imagine the main character as anyone other than the excellent Emma Delle-Vedove. She plays it with such a pathetic yet endearing manner that, despite her flaws, you can’t help but root for her.
As the Director, Nicholas Papademetriou is captivating. You can feel his passion for theatre through the role. The lines aren’t just said by someone playing a character; they’re being performed by someone who truly lived those experiences.
Though the stage begins bare, it slowly gathers props as it moves from scene to scene. Finally, as the characters make their way to opening night, we see the stage in its full glory.
Merle Leuschner is evidently a very skilled designer. The elegant set accumulated for the play within the show is greatly juxtaposed by the dirty room of the ex-lover, played by Jason Spindlow. The dingy teal walls in particular make the room look depressing. This symbolises a reality check for our main character as the show moves into its conclusion.
Though the pace slows in the latter half of the second act, it is not without powerful moments. In particular, the forgiveness of the main character’s husband is incredibly compelling.
Playing said ‘Husband’ is the talented Lynden Jones, who is a delight in every scene he’s in. He creates this sense that he and his partner are an indomitable force. Audiences really are convinced of the longevity of the characters’ relationship.
How could one not mention the intimacy coordinator? A show with this many kisses between so many different people must be a difficult one to navigate. With that, credit is well due to the intimacy coordinator, Sonya Kerr.
Anyone who’s had anything to do with performing arts of any form deserves to see Stage Kiss, a hilarious ode to theatre.
Stage Kiss runs to 11 April at New Theatre Newtown. 542 King Street Newtown NSW 2081.
Tickets are available here.
Website: https://newtheatre.org.au/stage-kiss/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/newtheatresydney/
Photo credits: Bob Seary
