★★★★
What does one do when they are in their fifties and possibly (most definitely) going through an identity crisis? Find a roommate who is also in their fifties and possibly (most definitely) going through an identity crisis.
The Australian premiere of Jen Silverman’s The Roommate has just kicked off hot at Ensemble Theatre in Kirribilli, starting its run with a standing ovation and audiences bent over in laughter.
Sharon (Lucy Bell), blissfully unaware of the way her life is about to change, opens her door to Robyn (Belinda Bromilow), welcoming self-discovery, chaos, possibly medicinal marijuana and a few more scandals.
The refreshing dark comedy, directed by Lee Lewis, sweeps audiences into a thrilling, adrenaline-fuelled ride. With its fast-paced storyline, The Roommate will either have you laughing, gripping onto the edge of your seats in suspense, or in complete shock. I took my roommate along to watch, and they audibly gasped multiple times.
Set in modern-day Iowa, cultured with hot yoga, cafes and book clubs, the world of the play is constructed by a very talented design team. Set and costume designer Simone Romaniuk utilises the small and intimate space to invite us into the neutral world of Sharon, gradually filling it up with more colour, more objects, more mess and more life.
This two-hander presents a refreshing portrayal of middle-aged women with a fun, playful, and unexpected twist. The exceptionally talented Lucy Bell plays the lonely, divorced, empty nester Sharon, who works at the local gift shop every Thursday and is a part of a reading group (not a book club) from Illinois.
Bell plays this character with such heart and commitment. You can’t help but feel bad for this uncultured and lost soul who is simply looking for a sense of purpose. When Sharon meets Robyn, she completely transforms and becomes an unstoppable force of life and hope.
Bell’s ability to tell this story with such promise means that the audience doesn’t have to work hard to understand it; we are able to relax and enjoy the hilarious performance.
Robyn, the roommate, played by the very exciting Belinda Bromilow, enters the story with a large amount of ambiguity and secrecy. What we do know is that she’s from the Bronx (I think), she’s a lesbian (most likely), and is a vegan (no signs indicating this isn’t true).
Bromilow’s performance captures the nuances and complexities of her character as well as her erratic and wacky nature. Her sporadic delivery is a constant source of laughter, resulting in a very enjoyable performance that complements Bell’s beautifully.
The dynamic of these two characters, and the performers themselves who bring them to life, provide audiences with the refreshing reminder that being middle-aged does not mean you have to stop and settle. As Sharon says at the end of the play, “there’s a great liberty in being bad,” capturing The Roommate’s celebration of reinvention, freedom, and living.
Lighting design by Matt Cox is extremely impressive. Serving as an important storytelling tool, it creates beautiful visual moments, such as the morning sun peering through the window.
Sound design by Madeleine Picard does very well at heightening the moments of suspense, comedy, and intimacy, shaping the play’s emotional rhythm. At times, the sound took me out of the world, specifically a poorly recorded door sound effect that felt jarring, leaving me cringing each time it was used.
Despite this minor distraction, the creative team has built a vibrant and ever-evolving world that invites audiences to lose themselves in the chaos unfolding on stage.
The Roommate is funny, chaotic, and unexpectedly heartfelt. Driven by two magnetic performances, the production celebrates the thrill of taking risks and rewriting the rules at any age.
And at ninety-five uninterrupted minutes, it all makes for an immensely entertaining night at the theatre. The lease runs out 25th of July, so be sure to see this delightful dark comedy before these roommates pack up their boxes and move on.
The Roommate runs to 25 July at Ensemble Theatre. 78 McDougall Street Kirribilli NSW 2061.
Tickets are available here.
Website: https://www.ensemble.com.au/shows/the-roommate/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/ensembletheatre/
Photo credits: Brett Boardman
Leave a Reply