As the champagne flows and frustrations reach a breaking point, secrets and long suppressed grievances are revealed, in David Williamson’s explosive new play Aria.
Australia’s Living Treasure, veteran playwright Williamson, has written another brilliant script in the world premiere of Aria, delivering hilarious dialogue and showing a keen understanding of human dynamics.
Directed by Janine Watson, the crowd-pleasing comedy drama hits the right note again and again, based on the frequent laughter from the audience.
The birthday celebration of her three sons explodes into a vicious family drama, as matriarch Monique’s controlling manner and biting critique pushes her family to boiling point. The wives, all reluctant to attend the annual gathering knowing Monique will use the opportunity to glorify her cherished sons and slur them; as they are the ones responsible for her boys not living up to their potential.
Star of the show is Tracy Mann, (as Monique), who Williamson describes as magnificently insufferable. And that she is. Mann is natural, captivating and completely lacks empathy; you just can’t wait to hear what she’s going to say next. The narcissistic, delusional mother does not hold back in her opinions (especially of her daughter’s in law). This is a woman who will bribe (incentive, she says) her son to leave his wife.
With engaging performances from a talented cast, there wasn’t a character I didn’t love, flaws and all. However, it’s the females (wives) who are the interesting, intelligent, complex women, each paired with men who have enjoyed immense economic advantage and over-indulgent mothering. As the resentment builds to a crescendo, will the daughter-in-laws be vindicated?
The youngest wife is high-maintenance Midge (Tamara Lee Bailey). Here the prolific writer proves he can write for today’s generation, as he’s clued up to all the Gen-Z lingo. Midge is the second wife to Charlie (Rowan Davie), a beautician by trade, vain and vacuous, refusing to join the outside family celebrations for fear of ruining her hair. However, underneath is a forthright, blunt, and determined woman.
Struggling Chrissy (Suzannah McDonald), is a mother in agony with four out-of-control children. As she fills her champagne glass to the brim, you realise this is a woman who’s not coping. Chrissy is married to Liam (Jack Starkey-Gill), perhaps Monique’s most conceited son, who is positive he’s just two seats away from becoming the state premier. And Judy (Danielle King), the lawyer breadwinner, married to submissive architect draftsman Daniel (Sam O’Sullivan).
There are many layers within Aria and Williamson presents a bold intersection of social commentary, social status and generational disparity. The debate about public versus private schooling comes up when Judy wants to take their daughter out of the exclusive school Monique attended (and donates to) and into Concord High, much to the dismay of the dowager. Williamson also touches on housing, a topic he wrote about in The Great Divide exploring the housing crisis and increasing wealth inequality in Australia.
Rose Montgomery’s set design of an affluent living room, complete with a baby-grand-piano covered in family photographs, maximises the space for the story. Montgomery is also on-point with the characters’ costumes, from Midge’s short, clingy orange dress, Chrissy’s flowing Laura Ashely number and Monique’s perfect white up-collared shirt. Each dressed to suit their character attributes and lifestyle.
As the drama continues to unfold, audiences will squirm in their seats at some of the more awkward moments, such as Monique’s aria, which is not the Maria Callas performance she thinks it is.
Williamson has a witty way with words. His script is clever, tasteful and very funny. He takes joy in using language to deceive, manipulate, and torment. Aria will have audiences gasping, rolling with laughter and nodding in recognition of the family tensions.
5 stars.
There is no interval in the 1 hour 40 minutes play, but the fast-paced show will have you glued to your seat not wanting to leave.
Aria is playing at Ensemble Theatre until 15 March 2025.
For tickets visit Ensemble Theatre
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