Set in the 1950s, Perfect Arrangement evokes a world of martinis and cigarettes, an era when men and women dressed immaculately, wore hats, and presented seemingly picture-perfect lives. But beneath the surface, nothing is as it appears. The couples at the centre of the story lead double lives, concealing their true desires beneath fabricated relationships.

Written by American playwright Topher Payne, the narrative taps into the Lavender Scare, a period in American history when suspected homosexuals were dismissed from the federal workforce as they were seen as a risk to national security and deemed morally weak and disloyal.

The cast features Luke Visentin (Bob Martindale), Jordan Thompson (Millie Martindale), Brock Cramond (Jim Baxter), Dominique Purdue (Norma Baxter), Huxley Forras (Theodore Sunderson), Brooke Ryan (Kitty Sunderson) and Lucinda Jurd (Barbara Grant).

Bob and Norma, employed within the State Department, are tasked with identifying so-called “deviants”. As they attempt to protect their “perfect arrangement”, the strain of living a lie begins to weigh on everyone involved.

The cast all excel in the comedy. Cramond brings a flamboyant flair to Jim, recalling his starring role in Genesian Theatre’s delightful farce Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime. Purdue holds her own as confidently as she did in Queen Hades Productions dark comedy POSH, delivering Norma’s dry tone with precision. Jurd’s Barbara will not be intimidated as she coolly blows smoke straight into Bob’s face. Ryan’s Kitty, with her boisterous laughter, captures the audience’s attention, as she did in Genesian Theatre’s whodunnit The Lady Vanishes. Thompson as Millie is the perfect dutiful, compliant housewife. Visentin explodes as Bob’s professional obligations clash with his private life. And, Forras cuts a stern, patriotic boss, determined to rid the system of any ‘fags’.

Payne’s script is a delight, with the accumulating lies becoming increasingly comical. The characters, especially ditzy Kitty, draw constant laughter from the audience, yet Payne notes comedy is a bridge to his true purpose: “If you can make someone laugh, they listen. And they lean in and they want to hear more. And once you have that level of engagement, then you can start layering in a message that you want them to take away.”

Directed and designed by Patrick Kennedy, the production cleverly uses stagecraft to highlight the fakery. A giant applause sign suspended above the stage prompts the audience to clap and creates a stage reminiscent of a live television sitcom complete with canned laughter. This is heightened, especially at the start of the show, as the cast turn towards the audience and perform a quick 30-second advertisement for a product mentioned in the script. The hidden nature of the pairs arrangements is accentuated by black and white photographs of couples with red tape obscuring their eyes and streaked with dripping red below the picture, reinforcing the danger lurking in the shadows. Kennedy’s boldest choice sees the entire stage inch slowly towards the audience. An ingenious way to reflect secrets being dragged into the open.

The colour palette leans heavily into vibrant red with the couch and side tables bringing a retro feel to the space. Fashion firmly anchors the production in its era, with Barbara standing out, dressed in all black, accented with red gloves and pearls.

With its inventive stage design, crackling cast and witty script, Perfect Arrangement delivers a serious message wrapped in a deceptively amusing theatrical package.

4 stars

Running for 2 hours 10 minutes (including one 20-minute interval).

Perfect Arrangement is playing at Newtown, New Theatre until 7 March 2026.

For tickets visit: New Theatre